Understanding and Managing your
feelings during Treatment

Recognising when difficult feelings show up for you will enable you to make decisions about how you manage difficult feelings.

Understanding your Feelings

Think about a time in your life when you experienced a difficult feeling such as stress, worry, fear, anger or low mood. Reflect back on whether there were any changes in your thinking or worries you may have had. There might have been changes in your body (e.g. increased heart rate, tension, sleep issues).

Think about how you would recognise this feeling if it showed up for you again.

You may find that changes in your behaviour such as withdrawing or keeping busy are a sign you are experiencing difficult feelings. Sometimes family members or friends notice changes in us and our behaviour that we do not always see ourselves. It can be helpful to involve them in thinking about how to recognise when difficult feelings show up for you and identify ways they may be able to support you.

• Psychological Wellbeing Checklist 
• Wellbeing Self-Evaluation Tool

Managing difficult Feelings

One of the easiest ways to manage difficult feelings is to do a little bit more of what you know already helps. It can be difficult to change habits and learn new ways to manage during times of stress.

Think about what you already do to manage your wellbeing and try to do a little bit more of it. For example, if walking helps, think about other places or times you could walk too. You may want to think about ways to enhance strategies you already use.

You may be using strategies to manage difficult feelings and improve your wellbeing without realising. It might be helpful to ask family members or friends whether they have noticed you doing anything to help manage your feelings. Often family or friends notice changes in our behaviour that we do not always notice.

Research suggests that if you consciously choose to do something to improve your wellbeing, you are more likely to perceive it as helpful.

You may notice that you engage in less helpful strategies to manage difficult feelings. It is important to avoid using strategies such as tobacco, alcohol and other substances to manage difficult feelings.

Support is available if you find yourself engaging in these coping strategies.