Chronic Illness and Children:
A child diagnosed with a severe and chronic medical illness is at greater risk of developing emotional problems. Unlike a child who has a temporary medical condition such as the flu, the child with a chronic illness must cope with knowing that the disease is permanent, incurable, and may even get worse with time. The young child, unable to understand why the sickness occurred, may assume it is a punishment for being "bad." The child may become angry with parents and doctors for being unable to cure the illness. Youngsters may react strongly against pampering, teasing, or other attention because they highlight their differences from other healthy children. Uncomfortable medical treatments and restrictions in diet and activity may make a child unhappy and withdrawn.
A team of medical specialists often treats children with long-term illnesses. This team usually includes a child and adolescent psychiatrist, who can help the child and family identify and overcome problems resulting from the burden of chronic medical illness. The psychiatrist can help families and their children understand the impact on the family of coping with multiple life changes imposed by the condition and develop emotionally healthy ways of living with the disease and its effects.
