I think for me it was more fear and anxiety that was an issue. Depression never came into play really. I think it may have to do with the fact that I am naturally a happy person... blame it on my hormones i guess. Regardless I was simply glad to be alive and moving away from my treatment etc... Not that everything didn't
suck BIG TIME... IT did. but I looked at it as being fortunate that while I had to go through it at least it wasn't a six to eight month ordeal like a lot of other cancer patients have to go through with chemo. The scary part of course is the numbers, but I figure if I can get through it I would do what I could to come out in okay shape and work on what needed working on - speech, eating, dry mouth etc... meds should help - if they don't they may need to be tweaked, and yay on the therapist.

Hugs.

The combination of SSRIs and therapy was a lifesaver (perhaps literally) for me many years ago. I know these drugs are controversial. On the one hand they've been greatly improved since my time on good old Prozac; but I've also read that some research shows that they really have no effect. I would tend to discount the latter since we're talking about the mind.

I happened to have depression before the cancer. I'm sure it contributed to the decline of my physical heath and the eventual cancer as I didn't care enough to look after myself - nothing really mattered at the time and I didn't know what to do about it.
If you even have an inkling that there is something wrong with the way you are feeling, or you are not just right in your thinking - get help.
I went to a pain clinic during/after my treatments and a neurologist thought there was something more he could do for me. He saved my life by referring me to a psychologist and a psychiatrist at the Tom Baker Cancer center here in Calgary.
I was diagnosed with bipolar depression.
Along with talk therapy, I have since tried many different meds. I'm now on Mirtazapine and it has lifted my spirits and helped me gain weight! (It's not for everyone - YMMV)
In my experience, if I had to choose between cancer and depression, I would choose cancer. I still say that. Depression can be even more deadly. Get help and do not think this is a minor thing that may go away in time, as it's not worth the risk.
BTW - eating Lindt Red Chili Dark Chocolate brought back my saliva after 3 years of terrible dry mouth. Or at least I am telling myself that.

Thank you for sharing your story, Shauneen. I admire your courage in bringing this up. All of us will experience situational depression from the diagnosis alone, that builds through treatment and beyond. Bringing depression into this process will certainly escalate issues.

Please know, your depression or lack thereof is not the reason for your cancer. It just happened. I'm glad your doctor recognized your depression and gave you the referral.

Yes, thank you, Shauneen. Your advice could help people who see depression as something minor or something to be ashamed of. You are not the only one who had the cancer piled on top of exisiting personal issues. When the situational depression, as Uptown calls it, hits, it gets mixed up with other patterns of thinking that have developed over our lifetimes. Or at least that is the way I see it. I have a pathological reluctance to ask for help and a fear of losing control which also makes it hard for me to deal with perfectly justified fear and sadness.

I'm glad you are feeling better and I might try the chocolate remedy for dry mouth:) Not too sure about the chilli though.

Best wishes
Maureen