While physical health takes center stage when confronted with a child’s cancer diagnosis, their mental and emotional wellbeing is integral to positive outcomes. The emotional side of cancer is impactful on a person no matter their age.
Both child and adult cancer patients wrestle with common anxieties surrounding their diagnosis. There is a fear for their length and quality of life, future fertility, ability to do and eat their favorite things, losing their hair, and having painful surgeries or treatments — among other things.
At times it can be challenging to evaluate the state of a child’s mental and emotional health. Younger children in particular may have difficulty explaining how they feel. Patients are not the only people who may suffer mentally and emotionally through their cancer journey. Family, especially parents and siblings, are likely to be impacted, too.
As parents look for signs of mental health struggles in their child, they should be aware of these common issues:
Anxiety is understood as excessive, intrusive worry. Someone suffering from anxiety may be unable to stop imagining worst-case scenarios. This anxiety is not limited to future outcomes (though this is common). They may worry about inconsequential things as well, along with their relationships with others.
In children, anxiety commonly manifests with these symptoms:
Excessive irritability or angry outbursts
Difficulty falling and staying asleep
Frequent nightmares
Complaints of stomach aches and cramps
Frequent crying and clingy behaviors
Poor eating habits
Excessive worry and nervous behavior
Unusual bathroom habits (increased frequency, constipation, etc.)
Anxiety also has varieties. For example, young children often develop separation anxiety. Cancer patients may develop health anxiety, which causes the individual to worry excessively about their health, being sick, un- or misdiagnosed, or dying.
Studies show that anxiety is elevated in cancer patients and survivors.
As St. Jude notes, depression is common among people, including children, facing a serious illness like cancer. Depression is the most common mental health problem for people of all ages. For children, depression usually manifests after puberty, but a young child may also suffer symptoms of depression when dealing with something as serious as cancer.
General sadness is likely but it is not always indicative of depression. Everyone experiences bouts of acute depression throughout different stages of life and the challenges that come with them. Clinical depression, on the other hand, significantly interferes with daily functioning. Depression that persists and causes disruptions in social activities, school work, and interests may be a sign of something more serious.
Here are a few signs to look for:
Sleep changes (too much or too little)
Eating changes (increased or decreased appetite)
Feeling “down,” or irritable all the time
Loss of pleasure or interest in favorite activities
Social withdrawal
Fatigue and low energy
Difficulty concentrating and struggling with school work
Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches
Frequent crying
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and guilt
Thoughts of death or suicide
When cancer patients are treated for mental health issues, they are better able to manage stress, feel a sense of peace and hope about their situation, follow good eating habits, and take their medication as directed. They will be able to better cope with physical changes, new routines, and other life changes as a result of cancer treatment.
Good mental health promotes healthy habits, too, such as exercise, food quality, and adequate, restful sleep.
If you notice that your child has had a sudden shift in behavior or displays one or more of the symptoms listed above, call their doctor. They can help connect your child with the appropriate services, support groups, and counseling.
They will likely be given a psychological evaluation. Psychological care from a therapist can be integrated with the rest of their cancer care. Treatment may involve medication, therapy, and support groups. Care can also come from the support and understanding of friends and family, as well as care from trusted pastors or other spiritual leaders.
Your child may benefit from connecting with other cancer patients in their same age group. It may help them feel less alone and more understood.
At the end of the day, parents and caregivers must be aware of the symptoms of mental health struggles so that they can properly address them. When we do, we are better able to ensure the best outcomes for childhood cancer patients.