What does persistent fatigue feel like with anxiety and low mood with cancer?

Anxiety can keep the body alert, disturb sleep, and leave muscles tense. Low mood can reduce drive, concentration, enjoyment, and the sense that rest has helped. Together, these changes may make showering, preparing food, attending appointments, or replying to messages feel overwhelming. Fatigue can also have physical causes such as anaemia, infection, pain, medication effects, or the cancer itself. A clinician can consider these alongside emotional wellbeing.

Describe both your energy and your mood to the oncology team, including sleep, appetite, worry, and changes in daily function. Ask about psycho-oncology, counselling, medication review, or other support. Choose one small priority at a time, use a simple routine, and accept practical help. Gentle movement and regular food and fluids may support energy when suitable for your health. Avoid using alcohol or unprescribed sedatives to manage distress.

Ask for prompt support if low mood or anxiety is persistent, worsening, or making treatment and self-care difficult. Seek urgent help if you feel unable to keep yourself safe, have thoughts of suicide, feel severely confused, or cannot eat or drink. Contact emergency services or a trusted person immediately if you may act on those thoughts.

Could my fatigue have a physical contributor as well as an emotional one? What mental-health support is available? Could any medicine be affecting sleep or energy? Who should I contact if my mood suddenly worsens?