Ep 75 - From Anxiety to PTSD with Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel
I’ve never met a fellow cancer survivor who has not struggled with anxiety. But what is anxiety, what’s depression or maybe what you have is PTSD? Menopause on top of that can make things much worse.
On today's episode, we’re discussing all the proven and evidence based strategies that can help.
Our guest expert is the super knowledgable Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel, an Oxbridge-trained precision health and integrative medicine doctor with 7 degrees and over a decade’s experience in integrative healthcare and additional training in nutrition, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, mindfulness, and other therapeutic approaches. She’s a walking oracle. We’re so lucky to get the chance to speak to her.
We discuss:
Is there hope in tackling anxiety?
How does anxiety present in patients?
The difference between anxiety and depression? How do I know what’s what?
Evidenced based strategies for managing anxiety? From medication to self-soothing techniques.
Let’s talk about coping with anxiety.
Please follow Dr Fuller-Shavel’s socials and sign up to her newsletter which can be found here https://www.synthesisclinic.co.uk/dr-nina-fullershavel
This is the ONCIO app: https://www.oncio.org/
Notes from Dr. Fuller-Shavel:
GAD-7 link - please see your GP or psychologist with the score to get an additional clinical assessment and support: https://patient.info/doctor/generalised-anxiety-disorder-assessment-gad-7
NICE guidelines for anxiety (general, not cancer-specific but outline treatment): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113/chapter/Recommendations#stepped-care-for-people-with-gad
ASCO therapy guideline algorithm for conventional anxiety treatment in adults with cancer (US based but very clearly outline psychological treatment options): https://old-prod.asco.org/sites/new-www.asco.org/files/content-files/practice-patients/images/2023-Anxiety-Algorithms.pdf
SIO-ASCO guidelines - algorithms for integrative care of anxiety and depression symptoms in people with cancer: https://old-prod.asco.org/sites/new-www.asco.org/files/content-files/practice-and-guidelines/documents/2023-Integrative-Anxiety-Depression-Algorithms.pdf
PTSD - symptom criteria (please see a professional as soon as possible if you feel these apply to you for a full psychological assessment): https://www.brainline.org/article/dsm-5-criteria-ptsd
Episode highlights:
[10:39] Anxiety symptoms include panic, palpitations, and catastrophising.[15:37] Self-care and seeking external support are essential.[24:39] Psychologist recommends an integrated approach for personalised therapy.[29:27] Guideline for cancer-related anxiety and depression treatments.[33:23] Tips for managing anxiety through accessible resources.[40:08] CBD may interact with medications, caution is advised. [48:41] Trauma intervention...