An Online Resource On Cerebral Palsy

This site is intended to provide information on the associated conditions of cerebral palsy.

Depression

For the child with cerebral palsy, there can be many conditions which can lead to depression. Having poor control over one's own body can leave a child feeling helpless and powerless. Young children are usually very quick to ostracize someone who they percieve as different. A child with cerebral palsy may appear significantly different from other children their own age. Conditions such as incontinence and drooling can make a child feel inadequate and embarrassed around others.

It is important that a child with any dibilitating condition develop a healthy attitude towards themselves. To this end, it can be helpful if the child has access to a counseler (someone other than a parent or primary care giver) so that they can speak freely about what's troubling them.

Possible signs of depresssion are:

 Change in personality, such as increased anger, irritability, moodiness, or whining;

 Change in appetite, usually a loss of appetite;

 Change in sleep patterns, such as difficulty failing asleep, staying asleep, or excessive sleeping;

 Loss of energy, or lethargy;

 Loss of interest in friends, play, activities, and sports. Or an absence of pleasure derived from relationships;

 Low self-esteem, frequently expressed through self-deprecating and negative talk;

 Indecisiveness;

 Difficulty with concentration (not to be confused with attention deficit disorder);

 Feelings of helplessness, occasionally expressed through suicidal talk.

Any child or young adult can suffer depression, but the extra difficulties that a child with cerebral palsy faces can increase their likelyhood of developing depression.