Children with Cancer & the Onset of Major Depression

For children with cancer, there are many health concerns that must be addressed beyond the most primary concern of fighting the malignancy. While physical health is important, for a child who has been diagnosed with cancer, there are risks for developing psychological complications as well. In fact, nearly all children diagnosed with cancer will experience some degree of depression and, in many cases, may develop a complication of major depression which will carry them through their lives even into remission.

As the parent of a child who has been diagnosed with cancer, it is important to consider the elements of the child's life that are adversely affected. Because your child will experience a decrease in the quality of life, be unable to sleep well and will find that engaging in even recreational activities is quite difficulty, depression may begin to develop very early in the stages of cancer. It is important, therefore, that you ask your child's oncologist about opportunities for psychiatric intervention especially with a mental health specialist who is well versed in pediatric psychology.

Beyond that of psychiatric health, the management of your child's mental health complications will be important to the battle against cancer. While there is a risk for developing long term psychiatric complications in response to a cancer diagnosis and treatment, there are also short term implications with a depression development. Because depression is closely related to a depressed immune system, if the mental health complication is not well managed, this may only further complicate your child's chemotherapy and reduce the opportunities for remission. Keeping your child content, well rested and engaged in an as many recreational activities as possible will key to optimal health outcomes.

In communities across the country, there are support groups designed to offer care and advice to parents who are struggling to live with their child's cancer diagnosis and associated treatments. In addition to your own support group, and obtaining your child's best treatment possible, you will also want to reach out and acquire support for your child as well. Often, engaging in activities that are suitable to their age group and health level, in collaboration with other children who are living with the same health complication, will offer the best outcome. Ask your local pediatric hospital about social services and resource groups that are particularly important to the care of children.

A child with cancer often suffers the same types of mental health complications as that of adults. For many children, the development of depression and anxiety may go unnoticed but is often discovered by the child's continued struggle to respond to chemotherapy. To give your child the best possible outcome in chemotherapy, and fighting any type of malignancy, turn to psychiatric care for your child and find support groups that will engage your child in recreational activities suitable to their age and physical capabilities.