The Link Between Brain Tumors and Mental Health - Is There Hope for Patients Survival?

Brain tumors are scary. Whether it is benign or malignant, it can have drastic consequences on your mental health.

Every year, 8th June is celebrated as World Brain Tumor Day, and the world unites to raise awareness of brain tumors. You'll hear a lot about brain tumor types, staging, and its profound impacts on individuals and their families. The ICMR, or the Indian Council of Medical Research, estimates around 40,000 to 50,000 brain tumor diagnoses in India annually.

Surgery, chemotherapy sessions, and radiation sessions are currently available options for treating brain tumor symptoms. These have been the standard care criteria for more than a decade now. 

What are the Causes of Brain Tumors 

Check out these causes or factors responsible for triggering a brain tumor -

• Exposure to radiation
• Family history
• Chemical exposure
• Idiopathic 
• Genetic factor 

Warning Signs of Brain Tumors You Should Know About

Like most health conditions, brain tumors show signs that you should pay heed to. Here are the sure warning signs of brain tumors for you to be aware of:

• Behavioral changes
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Paralysis
• Confusion

Are Brain Tumors and Mental Health Co-Related

Psychiatric symptoms are often associated with patients suffering from brain tumors. These include psychosis, mood symptoms, personality changes, anxiety, memory problems, and anorexia. Tumor symptoms might be misleading and complicate your entire clinical picture.

For anyone diagnosed with any medical condition, impaired mental health is a widespread phenomenon. Brain tumors are no different! Interestingly, 91%  of brain tumor patients acknowledge the tumor symptoms impacting their emotional and mental health.

Those impacted by mental health issues might struggle to cope with their day-to-day routine. You might experience frequent mood switches and personality changes. Aggression, anxiety, depression, irritability, confusion, and depression are your checkpoints.

Often, you may find it difficult to relate with other people. For example, you might have trouble identifying people's emotions or may even start behaving differently in a social or cultural setup. 

How Does Brain Tumor Change Your Mood

Tumor symptoms lead to personality and mood changes. This is the outcome of a tumor pressing on your brain and causing it to swell. Mood swings are commonly associated with frontal lobe tumors as it covers a significant portion of your brain. The tumors affecting the pituitary gland suddenly affect someone's mood by producing more or less hormones. This results in imbalance and may worsen further with tumor staging. 

Managing Mental Health of Brain Tumor Patients 

There are effective ways to manage the mental health of brain tumor patients. Here are a few of them:

• Patients with brain tumor symptoms exhibit increased susceptibility to seizures, delirium, drug-drug interactions, and other medication side effects. In such a scenario, your doctor may put you on pharmacological management using antidepressants. These are the best for patients with depressive tumor symptoms. 
• Mood stabilizers are prescribed to those suffering from manic symptoms. Antipsychotics are used for treating patients suffering from psychotic syndromes related to delusions, disturbances, and hallucinations. 
• There is also something called electro-convulsive therapy and psychotherapy. The electro-convulsive therapy is advised only when you are suffering from refractory depression. Psychotherapy works on improving your overall functional, emotional, and cognitive status. 
• Supportive and cognitive therapy will support you in effectively managing the symptoms of your tumor staging related to anxiety and depression. It is also essential for your doctor to understand and identify the maladaptive defenses that are likely to interfere with your somatic treatment. 

Takeaway

Brain tumors often accompany psychiatric symptoms. Medical history vouches on the importance of early diagnosis of your tumor symptoms to effectively manage it. While the brain tumor will impair your mental health, there are ways to manage it effectively. A timely assessment of your tumor symptoms, routine consultation, and effective somatic treatment is a ray of hope for you to lead a healthy lifestyle.