When you hear the word cancer, several things pop into your head. You’ll probably know that it’s a life-limiting disease and that several different types of cancer exist. It’s also associated with several myths that have been passed around by well-meaning people throughout the last few decades — warnings or stories intending to help others cope with the fear of the illness. For instance, have you ever been told that cancer is a modern, human-made disease? We’re here to debunk that myth and tell you that it was first recorded in ancient Egypt in 3000 BC.

Understanding your cancer diagnosis is critical to moving forward with your healthcare and treatment plan. To help you do precisely that, here are two other myths about cancer and the facts that go along with them.

1. Myth: Maintaining an Alkaline Diet Will Prevent Cancer

Do you feel like you can never keep up with the latest diet crazes? One day you hear that Atkin’s will cure all your health troubles; the next day, it’s Paleo. But people will go to big lengths to change their eating habits to prevent or even cure cancer. Some people claim that eating an Alkaline diet prevents cancer from developing because this type of diet raises the body’s pH levels. People believe that cancer cells grow faster in acidic environments, so why not cut out acidic foods (red meat, alcohol, starch) entirely?

The alkaline diet consists of low acid items, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. The idea is to heal your body with such nourishing foods to avoid or cure cancer.

The Fact

There’s no evidence to support this claim. While cutting back on acidic foods isn’t a bad idea, there’s no scientific proof that it will prevent or cure it. The body has a difficult system that ensures the blood stays in its healthy, somewhat alkaline range. If your blood becomes too alkaline or acidic, your body will automatically adjust on its own. It will remain within the healthy limit without a special diet.

2. Myth: Cancer is Untreatable

Many people assume that you can’t live a fulfilling life with it. There’s no denying that having cancer can be challenging, but nothing says that your life must come to a complete stop.

The Fact

Depending on the cancer type that you have, you’ll probably receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or one of the many cancer treatments that will help to destroy the cells in your body. To help manage such intensive treatments, you could also work with a home healthcare provider to receive at-home palliative care. You may wonder — what does palliative care include and how will it help me?

Palliative care is a unique approach to healthcare that relieves and reduces the painful side effects of having the disease. You’ll work with a caregiver and receive services like massage therapy — all to increase your quality of life.

If someone or you love has been diagnosed with cancer, knowing the facts about the disease is essential to your wellbeing. Myths can lead you down the very incorrect path and could potentially cause more harm than good.

Chronic pain can be complex and very difficult to manage. People dealing with this issue are always searching to find the best pain relief methods that work for them. From drug treatments and yoga to virtual reality therapy and psychological treatments, there are many options to choose from depending on your condition and preferences. So chronic pain can affect almost every part of a person’s life, from work to social life and mental health.

That’s why dealing with it requires finding the best method that can help you relieve pain and live better. Here are a few of the best therapies for managing chronic pain you might want to consider.

VR therapy

The modern world keeps progressing, so it’s no wonder that people decide to turn to a new way of treatment when dealing with health issues such as chronic pain. However, in recent years, virtual reality has become one of the best modern chronic pain therapy methods for managing pain. It uses drug-free and personalized chronic pain therapy from the comfort of your home.

This method has been an effective tool in decreasing pain in conjunction with other treatments. It includes a combination of VR therapy using modern technology along with conventional exercises and techniques.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help a person relieve pain by using special techniques to improve movement and function impaired by a disability or an injury. A physical therapist can guide the patient to employ a few pain-relieving techniques like stretching and strengthening, along with TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy) to aid treatment.

However, you must also think about investing in a good mattress since it can greatly affect your condition. For example, you can choose a modern chronic pain therapy if you’re a stomach sleeper or a back sleeper. Note that customized mattresses are especially useful for people dealing with chronic pain.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of psychotherapy and it can help recognize and change thoughts and behaviors, which make it difficult to deal with chronic pain. A CBT therapist can guide you and help you change your thinking to make it a little easier to manage whatever chronic pain you’re dealing with. For example, if you’re thinking that you will never survive the pain you’re feeling, these therapists can help you change your mind and also help you learn a few pain management techniques like distraction and activity pacing. Studies have shown that CBT can help individuals manage chronic pain associated with various health conditions, such as depression for people with MS (multiple sclerosis).

Psychological treatment

People dealing with chronic pain often have feelings of sadness, despair, anger, and/or hopelessness. Pain can affect your personality and interfere with your work and relationships, which leads to depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, and feelings of stress. Along with CBT, other psychological treatments provide safe and drug-free methods that treat pain directly by reducing high levels of psychological stress. Keep in mind that a big part of these treatments is education, which helps patients acquire skills to deal with difficult problems.

Bioelectric therapy

Bioelectric therapy is a safe and drug-free treatment option for people dealing with chronic pain. It relieves pain by blocking pain messages to the brain and prompts the body to produce chemicals called endorphins. But this therapy can be used to treat many chronic as well as acute conditions such as back pain, headaches, migraines, arthritis, scleroderma, and others.

This therapy is effective for temporary pain control, although it should be used as part of a total pain management program. Side effects of this therapy, which are in rare cases, include skin irritation and redness, which can occur under the electrodes during the procedure.

Alternative therapies

People have often found relief for their chronic pain in alternative therapies like mind-body therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and some nutritional supplements.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, for example, is believed to decrease pain by increasing the release of endorphins. Note that many acupoints are near nerves, so when stimulated, these nerves can cause a feeling of fullness or a dull ache in the muscle. The muscles then send a message to the central nervous system, which causes the release of endorphins blocking the message of pain to be delivered to the brain. It may be useful as an accompanying treatment for many pain-related conditions such as low back pain, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual cramps, and others.

Chiropractic Treatment

This is the most common nonsurgical treatment for back pain. Chiropractic treatments can also correct underlying mechanical dysfunctions and recommend exercises to keep the body moving. Studies show that chiropractic treatment has helped decrease the chronic pain of a patient that dealt with it after a car accident. Although this treatment’s effectiveness in treating chronic neck and back pain has not been supported by evidence from the majority of clinical trials, many patients decide on this treatment to deal with their chronic pain.

In closing

Some people who suffer from chronic pain are often able to gain some control over it by trying various treatments. However, those that cannot benefit from these methods should turn to pain clinics. Some of them are associated with hospitals, and they usually employ a multidisciplinary approach, which involves physicians, physical therapists, and psychologists. Consult with your doctor and find what method suits your needs best so you can start with therapy right away.

Practically throughout every domain of social interaction, whether it be in family settings, marriage, or even the workplace, one will undoubtedly encounter a narcissist, and this is proven to be mentally draining and ever so straining. But those include some of the characteristics of a narcissist — self-centeredness, a lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration — which can make it difficult to interact with them.

In the guide below, we will give you some professional advice on how to interact with people within this relationship and also tips on how to manage these relationships successfully throughout the guide.

Understanding Narcissism

Before we get into any strategies, however, it’s essential to understand what precisely narcissism is. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) describes a mental health condition defined by:

• An inflated sense of self-esteem.
• A grandiosity that is an excessive need for excessive attention and admiration.
• A lack of empathy for others.
• Often predatory or exploitative behavior.

Not everyone who exhibits narcissistic traits has NPD, but that doesn’t make dealing with that behavior any easier.

As stated in the Healthline article, “Narcissism exists on a spectrum, and not everyone who shows narcissistic symptoms has NPD.” However, handling such behavior is still no easy feat.

How to Deal with a Narcissist: Practical Strategies?

1. Educate Yourself About Narcissism

You cannot escape the narcissist. The only way to protect yourself against these behaviors is by seeking more information about narcissism. Make sure to research and learn about NPD as well as its traits so you can notice the standard indicators and refrain from being ensnared in their web.

2. Build Your Self-Esteem

Narcissists often derive pleasure from belittling others, which is why building yourself up as a person will help ensure you remain confident in any interaction. Work out the interpersonal strategies that suit you best, and try positive rephrasing, self-care, and a good circle of friends.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

Narcissists are good at testing the waters (aka your limits) to achieve what they want. It’s crucial to:

• Clearly spell out what behavior is and isn’t acceptable.
• Stand firm and maintain your boundaries.
• Don’t fall for guilt trips or manipulation.

4. Don’t Take Their Behavior Personally

Narcissistic behavior has more to do with their insecurities than you. Remind yourself:

• Their need for control and/or criticism has nothing to do with you.
• Please don’t get into fights or attempt to convince them otherwise.

5. Focus on Actions, Not Words

Narcissists are usually good at making promises but poor at keeping them. Therefore, please do not take their word for it; instead, watch what they do. If each time they fail to deliver, then you need to reconsider the relationship.

6. Limit Emotional Engagement

Narcissists feed on emotional responses. To protect yourself:

• Remain calm and collected in all interactions.
• Do not reveal personal information that they could use against you.
• Use neutral language and do not escalate conflicts.

7. Focus on Self-Care

Your mental health suffers when you deal with a narcissist. Prioritize:

• “Regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting plenty of sleep.
• Things that make you happy and relaxed.
• Reaching out for help from loved ones or a mental health professional.

8. Avoid Trying to Change Them

Narcissists rarely change on their own or even seek help. Instead:

• Focus on your reactions and the way you respond.
• Realize that you cannot control or change what they do.

9. Seek Professional Help

If the relationship is genuinely distressing, consider this:

• Psychotherapy or counseling to learn coping mechanisms.
• Welcome to the Support Groups for People Dealing with Narcissists.
• That may mean, in extreme cases, distancing yourself from the narcissist.

10. When to Walk Away

While you can control the way you interact with a narcissist, sometimes walking away is the best thing you can do. You might consider ending the relationship if:

• It becomes abusive or toxic behavior.
• Your mental health suffers dramatically.
• The relationship is force-fit when attempts to create boundaries fail.

Conclusion

Coping strategies for dealing with a narcissist include patience, self-awareness, and self-preservation. Setting boundaries, reducing emotional investment, and focusing on self-care can help you handle complex connections better. Keep in mind that you can’t change a narcissist, but you have power over how you react to their behavior.

If you are struggling, reach out to professionals or your support network. You deserve relationships that are positive, respectful, and fruitful.

FAQs About Dealing With a Narcissist

What do you not want to say to a narcissist?

Don’t confront them about their behavior, as they are likely to respond with aggression or deny it. Instead, make it about boundaries and self-preservation.

Can a narcissist change?

Change is possible, but it’s not common and usually needs professional assistance. Narcissists are often not at all amenable to change as they do not even recognize what they do as a problem.

What does narcissistic abuse look like?

Narcissist abuse may involve manipulation, gas-lighting, verbal insults, and controlling behavior. If you often feel belittled or controlled, it’s essential to get help.

How do you establish boundaries with a narcissist?

Set clear, specific boundaries around unacceptable behaviors. For instance, “I need you to stop interrupting me when I’m speaking.” Be firm and stick to the boundaries if they are crossed.

How long should you stay in a relationship with a narcissist?

And if the relationship is putting your mental or physical health at risk, or if there’s abuse involved, get out. Your safety and well-being are the most important thing.