The Eeyore Effect
In the medical profession, we are keenly aware of the “recipe” used to treat cancer patients. For example, someone gets diagnosed with breast cancer-step #1-surgery, step #2-chemotherapy, step #3-radiation, step #4-follow up in a fairly prescribed manner. So does that mean that every patient with that diagnosis has the same outcome? Absolutely not. We know that for every patient who is diagnosed we are able to present them with statistical averages on their expected disease course and life span. That being said, there are some people who don’t meet these averages and others that far exceed anyone’s expectations. this actually can be true of any disease process.
So what may be responsible for the extremes of poor and exceptionally good outcomes? It often comes down to a patient’s attitude. An attitude about themselves and about their relationship with their disease. The first extreme I call the “Eeyore Effect”. It is best explained by the patient that gets a cancer diagnosis and becomes despondent and hopeless. I am not talking about the initial days and hours after a diagnosis, I am speaking about the first weeks and months. These patients may isolate themselves instead of rallying a team and pulling forward with a plan. They may be unfortunate enough to not have a support team, or even worse, have a destructive team of people. This can derail even the best of intentions and leaves the patient feeling lost, alone and confused.
We know that patients who are able to find a support network and are able to maintain a positive outlook will do better than the others in fighting their disease. Some people have that support that comes from a spouse, friend or family, but others may need to build that support from co-workers, support groups or community outreach programs. From these darkest times, sometimes alliances that last a lifetime are made.
So what does that mean to the newly diagnosed cancer patient, or for that matter, heart disease patient, Parkinson’s disease patient, or dementia patient? It means that the likelihood is that you will have a better outcome with any disease process if you can build a supportive team, get a “can do” attitude,and find a way to realize that the road ahead is unknown but you will manage.
In a recent study published in 2016 entitled, “A Randomized Pilot Trial of a Positive Affect Skill Intervention for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer”, the outcomes were clear. After a 5-week intervention focusing participants on eight skills to foster positive emotions it was found that survivors of metastatic breast cancer were less likely to need antidepressant drugs to cope with their illness. Goals of the intervention were for patients to feel happy, calmer and satisfied in the midst of their health concerns. This was done by developing skills such as daily recognition of positive events, sharing those events with others, gratitude journaling, appreciating your own personal strengths, setting attainable goals, practicing small acts of kindness, and practicing mindfulness (living in the current moment).
All of these skills can help patients with cancer focus and build on what they see as positive in their lives and this absolutely does have a positive effect on better outcomes for these patients. These are skills that can also be used by those who don’t have cancer in order to help prevent diseases from developing because, as we support ourselves psychologically, we provide a healthier immune system that can potentially ward off disease. What helps heal, also helps in prevention.
So if you have cancer, practice these skills daily and surround yourself with a support network. It certainly can’t hurt and will absolutely allow the sun to shine through those clouds each and ever day.
Nancy Reye, MD, Family Medicine Physician
