Cerebral Palsy and Emotional Issues

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Children with cerebral palsy have an increased risk of emotional and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. The brain injury that causes CP is one reason, but these children also face physical challenges, discomfort, discrimination, and sometimes bullying. Complete treatment for cerebral palsy includes mental health evaluations and treatment.

Why Children with Cerebral Palsy Are at Risk for Emotional Issues

According to research, one common reason children with cerebral palsy are prone to emotional difficulties is brain damage.[1] Brain damage can disrupt the pathways and networks that help regulate emotions.

Another reason children with CP may experience emotional issues is their physical limitations. While their peers can run faster and answer schoolwork questions more quickly, children with cerebral palsy can feel left behind when they can’t keep up.

Although children with CP may know the answers in class or while doing schoolwork, their physical challenges make it harder for them to complete things at the pace other children do.

This can be daunting to any child, but a child with CP often experiences this throughout most of childhood and more often than children who don’t have disabilities.

Bullying

Children with disabilities are often the target of bullying, usually at school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children with disabilities are often singled out and bullied because they are “different.”[2]

Children with cerebral palsy who already have limitations on handling their emotions will react even more severely to bullying than children without disabilities who get bullied because they may not be able to express themselves or protect themselves adequately.

This can lead to severe emotional disturbances for children with CP, which affects their school performance and trickles over into their home life.

Parent and Child Interactions and Emotional Health

Experts say that parent-child interaction may also play a significant role in emotional issues for children with cerebral palsy.

Parents of children with cerebral palsy are often more stressed than parents of children without disabilities.

Since parental stress is known to cause emotional issues in all children, those with cerebral palsy may have heightened issues.

If you’re a parent and you feel stressed out from caring for a child with cerebral palsy, experts recommend enrolling in classes or groups that can help you. For instance, most cities have local groups where parents of children with disabilities can come together and talk about problems and issues they are facing.

This not only gives you a way to help vent your frustrations, but it also allows you to connect with people who are going through the same things. If meeting in person is an obstacle, several support groups online, often free, can allow you to communicate with other parents and caregivers.

In addition, professional counseling conducted by a qualified therapist can teach you methods of dealing with stress when it arises. Counseling can also help you help your child in daily interactions and activities, especially those that may cause stress or emotional issues.

Check with your physician for recommendations for counselors who specialize in helping parents with children with special needs.

Signs of Emotional or Mental Health Disorders

Parents of a child with cerebral palsy should be aware of and watch out for signs that their child is in distress. Early interventions can be highly effective. Look for these signs:[3]

• Withdrawal from family and friends or social situations
• Persistent sadness
• Extreme irritability, anger, or outbursts
• Out-of-control or even dangerous behaviors, including self-harm
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in eating
• Significant changes in mood
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Changes in performance at school or avoiding school

Mental Health in Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Studies of adults with cerebral palsy are limited. Most research focuses on children, but those children grow up to be adults with CP.

One study looked at emotional regulation in adults with cerebral palsy. The researchers found higher rates of emotional difficulties in these adults compared to the general population.

Adults with cerebral palsy are less likely to be emotionally aware. They struggle more to regulate emotions and accept emotional responses. They are more likely to struggle with impulse control. They are also more likely to have depression and anxiety than adults without cerebral palsy.[4]

How to Help a Child With Cerebral Palsy and Emotional Issues

If your child is experiencing emotional difficulties, several therapy options are available that can help. The type of therapy that will work the most effectively will depend on your child’s temperament and individual issues. The following types of therapies can help your child deal with emotional and behavioral issues:

• Behavioral Therapy
• Social Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Recreational Therapy

Each of these therapy options offers different benefits to children, such as how to effectively deal with stress, make friends, delay gratification, overcome emotional trauma, reduce anxiety, and much more.

Another option that helps in connection with therapy is personal counseling. Having a personal counselor who helps a child with individual issues has been shown to help build confidence, treat depression, and manage emotions.

Consult your child’s physician for recommendations for counselors who specialize in helping children with disabilities.