When those with cancer suffer from anxiety, they often engage in practices that fuel their anxiety even more.
They may have a temporary cathartic effect, but when that wears off, the person is left worse than ever.
Some examples of this:
Substance abuse - smoking, drinking, drugs, over-eating . . .
Disinvolvement - refusing to see friends or get involved in conversations
Behavioural disengagement - avoiding things they used to enjoy
Denial - trying to ignore issues that need to be attended to
Also, anxiety can be stoked up by:
Watching a horror movie on television
Reading a nail-biting thriller
Getting involved in dangerous activities, such as reckless driving
Playing songs with negative messages