The Psychological Circle of Demand
during Treatment

Recognising the psychological demands that show up for you will enable you to make choices that help improve your ability to manage your psychological wellbeing during treatment.

For example, if limited information about your treatment is troubling you, it may be helpful to seek further information from health professionals involved in your care about any questions or concerns you may have.

  • Seek information from health professionals involved in your care
  • Ask any questions you may have about your treatment
  • Share any concerns you may have

Psychological demand and possible management strategies

Information about treatment

  • Seek information from health professionals involved in your care
  • Ask any questions you may have about your treatment
  • Share any concerns you may have

Sense of control

  • Make a list of what you can and cannot control
  • Focus your energy on what you can control now
  • Increase your understanding of your treatment plan
  • Consider what you can do now that might help you manage
  • Continue to follow your daily routine where possible
  • Make your own ‘emotional care kit’ for treatment insert link (Is there a way for the page to be at the ‘emotional care kit’ section when you click on the link?)
  • Practice self-compassion (Is there a way for the page to be at self-compassion section when you click on the link?)

Physical changes

  • Make a list of what you can and cannot control
  • Focus your energy on what you can control now
  • Increase your understanding of your treatment plan
  • Consider what you can do now that might help you manage
  • Continue to follow your daily routine where possible
  • Make your own ‘emotional care kit’ for treatment insert link (Is there a way for the page to be at the ‘emotional care kit’ section when you click on the link?)
  • Practice self-compassion (Is there a way for the page to be at self-compassion section when you click on the link?)

Searching for meaning

  • Keep track of your thoughts and feelings using a diary or art form
  • Connect with your values and what matters most to you
  • Talk to others who have experienced cancer
  • A space to reflect and process your experience with a clinical psychologist or counsellor may be helpful
  • Create your own pace: You may find it easier to make sense of your experience and find meaning once your treatment is complete
  • Practice self-compassion // (Is there a way for the page to be at self-compassion section when you click on the link?)

Finding support

Managing relationships

  • Let family and friends know what you need from them and what you do not want
  • Think about how you want to share information with friends and family
  • Let the health professionals caring for you know if you have any questions, concerns or preferences

Intense feelings

  • Intense feelings are likely to come and go
  • Practice self-compassion // (Is there a way for the page to be at self-compassion section when you click on the link?)
  • Use strategies you already find helpful
  • Self-help during treatment (webpage 2 link)
  • Make your own ‘emotional care kit’
  • Understanding and finding ways to manage your feelings (webpage 3) may be helpful
  • Use the Wellbeing Self-Evaluation Tool to help understand your feelings and when to seek support

Also in this section

Related Information

  • Psychological preparation
  • Psychological wellbeing checklist
  • Managing your psychological wellbeing during treatment
  • Finding the support you need from others
  • Managing your psychological wellbeing during a stay in hospital

You may be able to predict some of the challenges you are likely to experience during treatment.

Psychological preparation for treatment may help you to identify ways to manage and promote your psychological wellbeing during treatment. As with any form of preparation,
it is impossible to predict the course of treatment and what you may find challenging.

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