Mental Health
Due to hormonal and physical changes brought on by Acromegaly, patients can experience psychological symptoms. Because Acromegaly presents itself differently for each patient, not all patients experience the same symptoms. These may include, but are not limited to:
Depression
Mood swings
Personality changes
Anxiety
Decreased quality of life
Social isolation caused by dysmorphia
Apathy
Compassion Fatigue
Watch the following videos to better understand how to cope with psychological symptoms:
Frequently Asked Questions
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An apathy syndrome is defined as a syndrome of primary motivational loss, that is, loss of motivation not attributable to emotional distress, intellectual impairment, or diminished level of consciousness.
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Many acromegaly patients commonly report fatigue and weakness. And new for the 2011 guidelines, the Association reports that acromegaly appears to be associated with psychological changes and alterations in personality. Patients often have depression, apathy and considerable mood changes.
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Compassion fatigue is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others, often described as the negative cost of caring. It is sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress.
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Affects many dimensions of your well-being
Nervous system arousal (Sleep disturbance)
Emotional intensity increases
Cognitive ability decreases
Behavior and judgment impaired
Isolation and loss of morale
Depression and PTSD (potentiate)
Loss of self-worth and emotional modulation
Identity, worldview, and spirituality impacted
Beliefs and psychological needs-safety, trust, esteem, intimacy, and control
Loss of hope and meaning=existential despair
Anger toward perpetrators or causal events