Bridging the Gap Between Physical Treatment and Emotional Health
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Dr. Manish Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, joined Great Day Washington to highlight a common yet often overlooked response to serious illness: Adjustment Disorder.
As an oncologist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Agrawal shared how the medical community frequently focuses on physical markers—like tumor response and lab values—while leaving the profound emotional upheaval of a life altering diagnosis unaddressed. He refers to this phenomenon as the “collusion of denial,” where both patients and physicians may focus solely on physical symptoms like nausea or pain, while the patient’s internal sense of meaning and identity is quietly disrupted.
Understanding Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition that develops in response to a major life stressor, such as a diagnosis of a serious illess such as cancer, MS, ALS, or Parkinson’s. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness and anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulty functioning in daily life
“Quality of life is determined by emotional health,” Dr. Agrawal noted during the segment. “People could be physically feeling okay, even cured of their cancer, and still really not feel like they could get back into normal life”.
A Message for Patients and Families
Dr. Agrawal encourages those struggling with the emotional toll of a serious illness to shed the stigma and seek help. “It’s not because you’re broken or you’re weak,” he said. “It’s important to acknowledge that this is a normal response”.
The REKINDLE Phase 2 Study
Despite the prevalence of adjustment disorder—which affects up to 40% of cancer patients—there are currently no FDA-approved treatments specifically for the condition.
Sunstone Therapies is serving as a clinical trial site for the REKINDLE Phase 2 study. Sponsored by Reunion Neuroscience, the study is evaluating RE104, an investigational, short-acting psychedelic compound. This treatment is administered within a structured, therapeutically supported setting designed to help patients process the trauma of their diagnosis and find meaning again.
