It is normal to experience changing feelings and emotions when seriously ill and facing the end of life. It is also normal to experience intense feelings when someone close is seriously ill.

Even though these feelings are intense, they can be difficult to describe. They are not always easy to understand or cope with. They can affect different people in different ways. They can affect the way information is taken in and how decisions are made.

Information in this section looks at some of the emotional challenges for people who are seriously ill and for those caring for them. It also looks at other issues including:

• Making decisions
• The hardest thing about being cared for
• Anxiety and depression and
• Whether it would be helpful to talk to someone.

This page was created on 26 May 2009 and is due for review in May 2011