{"id":13796,"date":"2020-03-26T16:14:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T20:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/720bb4d963.nxcli.net\/?p=13796"},"modified":"2020-05-30T14:34:30","modified_gmt":"2020-05-30T18:34:30","slug":"mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Itzhak Brook, M.D. MSc., HNCA Board Member<\/a>, HNCA Ambassador<\/a>, Throat Cancer Survivor and Laryngectomee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The current COVID-19 outbreak is spurring depression, fear, anxiety, and stress on a societal level. On an individual level, it may exacerbate anxiety and psychosis-like symptoms as well as lead to non-specific mental issues (e.g., mood problems, sleep issues, phobia-like behaviors, panic-like symptoms). Head and neck cancer patients (HNCP) (including laryngectomees) are more vulnerable to these psychological issues as well as the viral infection. Laryngectomees may experience increased social isolation and loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributing to these are the difficulties in getting medical and diagnostic care, prescription drugs, and medical supplies; and the economic situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HNCP with mental health issues such as OCD, PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders, and paranoia may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HNCP can be\nproactive and alleviate some of their psychological vulnerability by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Reaching out and seeking support from mental health professionals (i.e., psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers)<\/li>
  • Getting medical and other supplies delivered to one\u2019s residence  <\/li>
  • Engaging in healthy distractions such as reading, watching movies, taking walks, exercising, and learning a new skill<\/li>
  • Developing a routine <\/li>
  • Obtaining information from reliable sources<\/li>
  • Curbing media exposure to certain times in the day<\/li>
  • Being aware of what is anxiety and what is the reality in one\u2019s thoughts and conversations<\/li>
  • Following guidelines (i.e., using prescribed handwashing methods, avoiding touching the face, avoiding hugging and shaking hands, staying at home and contacting one\u2019s medical provider when experiencing medical problems)<\/li>
  • Connecting with family and friends through the internet, social media, video calls, and phone <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Following these guidelines can assist HNCP to navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By: Itzhak Brook, M.D. MSc., HNCA Board Member, HNCA Ambassador, Throat Cancer Survivor and Laryngectomee The current COVID-19 outbreak is spurring depression, fear, anxiety, and stress on a societal level..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":331,"featured_media":13799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[97,42,92,52,93,84,99,60,86],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By: Itzhak Brook, M.D. MSc., HNCA Board Member, HNCA Ambassador, Throat Cancer Survivor and Laryngectomee The current COVID-19 outbreak is spurring depression, fear, anxiety, and stress on a societal level..\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Head and Neck Cancer Alliance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/headandneckcanceralliance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-26T20:14:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-05-30T18:34:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"12345\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@hncalliance\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hncalliance\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"12345\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\",\"name\":\"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-26T20:14:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-05-30T18:34:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/e23973c8f3e3a4d4849d2e16dab445a2\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":667},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/\",\"name\":\"Head and Neck Cancer Alliance\",\"description\":\"Through prevention, early detection, and research of head and neck cancer.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/e23973c8f3e3a4d4849d2e16dab445a2\",\"name\":\"12345\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c599e01afb892584967ad97877bad533?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c599e01afb892584967ad97877bad533?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"12345\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance","og_description":"By: Itzhak Brook, M.D. MSc., HNCA Board Member, HNCA Ambassador, Throat Cancer Survivor and Laryngectomee The current COVID-19 outbreak is spurring depression, fear, anxiety, and stress on a societal level..","og_url":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","og_site_name":"Head and Neck Cancer Alliance","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/headandneckcanceralliance\/","article_published_time":"2020-03-26T20:14:47+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-05-30T18:34:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":667,"url":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"12345","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@hncalliance","twitter_site":"@hncalliance","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"12345","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","url":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","name":"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic - Head and Neck Cancer Alliance","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg","datePublished":"2020-03-26T20:14:47+00:00","dateModified":"2020-05-30T18:34:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/e23973c8f3e3a4d4849d2e16dab445a2"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_757244317.jpg","width":1000,"height":667},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/mental-health-issues-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-caused-by-the-covid-19-pandemic\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mental Health Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Caused by the COVID \u2013 19 Pandemic"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/","name":"Head and Neck Cancer Alliance","description":"Through prevention, early detection, and research of head and neck cancer.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/e23973c8f3e3a4d4849d2e16dab445a2","name":"12345","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c599e01afb892584967ad97877bad533?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c599e01afb892584967ad97877bad533?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"12345"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13796"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13796"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13800,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13796\/revisions\/13800"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.headandneck.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}