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EPISODE 18: MENTAL HEALTH & NETS




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ABOUT THIS EPISODE


What are the common mental health issues associated with NET? How can they be managed? How does NET impact young adults, NET patients and children of NET patients? Health psychologist Dr. Kersting of the Medical College of Wisconsin elaborates on mental health challenges facing NET patients and their loved ones. Hear coping strategies for anxiety, eating and sleeping difficulties, fatigue and depression. Dr. Kersting discusses what you can expect when meeting a mental health professional and why supporting your mental health is an integral part of your overall care.


 

MEET DR. KAREN KERSTING


Karen Kersting, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides counseling and psychotherapy to patients treated by surgeons in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She completed an undergraduate degree in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical health psychology at the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dayton, OH. She joined the faculty of MCW in 2016.


Dr. Kersting’s research interests include the development and assessment of integrated psychosocial services for people coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on patients diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. Additionally, her work aims to highlight issues related to social determinants of health and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions.


 

TOP 10 QUESTIONS


1. How common are mental health issues in NET patients?  What are the most common mental health issues you see in NET and what can be done about it? 

 

2. How does anxiety impact NET patients? Why is it so prevalent in these patients? When do I know I need to reach out for support with my anxiety? What does treatment for anxiety look like?

 

3. How does depression impact NET patients?

 

4. What kind of sleep problems do you see in NET patients?

 

5. How do you work with patients who have long periods of fatigue?

 

6. How can a psychologist help people who are struggling to eat after treatment?

 

7.  How can a patient, loved one, or physician tell the difference between a symptom such as fatigue or anxiety caused by NET tumors vs. a psychological trigger? Does it matter? How does one’s mental health impact one’s NET disease or the effectiveness of treatments?

 

8. Discuss how NET may impact young adult NET patients? How does NET impact young adult children, teenagers, and young children of NET patients?

 

9. Who should see a psychologist? When should someone see a psychologist? How does one find a psychologist? What should a patient expect when they come for a first visit with a mental health professional such as a psychologist, therapist, social worker or other?

 

10. What coping strategies or advice do you have for NET patients? What coping strategies or advice for family members or loved ones? 


 

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DISCLAIMER


LACNETS Podcasts are created for educational purposes only and do not substitute for medical advice. The views shared in this Podcast are the personal opinions of the experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of LACNETS. Please contact your medical team with questions or concerns about your individual care or treatment.

 


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