Emotional Effects of Cerebral Palsy

People with a disability are three to four times more likely to suffer from depression than those without a disability. Depression is a persistent sense of sadness accompanied by a sense of hopelessness or despair. Adults with cerebral palsy often suffer from depression due to a lack of emotional support, a lack of coping skills, and a pessimistic view of the future. Adults with cerebral palsy also suffer from chronic pain, and this can contribute to depression as well. Children with cerebral palsy can develop depression due to the feeling of not being able to control their bodies, the stigma and misinformation about their condition, and embarrassment about their bodies in front of other children.

Adults with cerebral palsy can develop anxiety as they age. Anxiety is a sense of dread and panic that causes increases in heart rate, hyperventilation, and stress. Additional illnesses such as arthritis, chronic pain and fatigue, and bone fractures can develop with age. Because of these illnesses, adults with cerebral palsy can develop anxiety about their worsening condition, and how that condition will limit their lives. Children with cerebral palsy can also suffer from sleep problems. Sleep problems can contribute to anxiety and other emotional disorders.

Self-esteem is how valuable a person feels about themselves. People with cerebral palsy can have low self-esteem due to perceived limitations, medical conditions, the stigmas associated with their disorder, and the loss of bodily control. Children with cerebral palsy can have low self-esteem for the same reasons, but this can also be influenced by being over-protected by concerned parents. This over protection can lead to dependence, which can lead to a sense of being powerless. A sense of powerlessness can contribute to feelings of low self worth and self-esteem.

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy in a child can be devastating to parents. The emotional tolls, stresses and negative feelings about the diagnosis can contribute to emotional problems in the child and their parents. Both children and adults with cerebral palsy may need to depend on various caregivers to assist with their daily activities. The stresses of caring for an individual, normal mood swings, and frustrations can cause emotional exhaustion in both client and caregiver.

It has been estimated that around 65 percent of the individuals living with cerebral palsy also have some form of mental retardation. Mental retardation is a developmental disability that causes mild, moderate, or severe cognitive impairment. Because cerebral palsy and mental retardation can exist at the same time in an individual, they can contribute to emotional stresses as well.