Mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing for people with cerebral palsy.
Having cerebral palsy does not mean someone will experience mental health difficulties, but living with pain, fatigue, inaccessible environments, discrimination or social isolation can affect emotional wellbeing.
Recognising Mental Health Difficulties
Changes worth paying attention to can include persistent low mood, anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, sleep changes, withdrawal or feeling unable to cope.
Mental health problems deserve attention whether or not they appear related to cerebral palsy.
Disability and Emotional Wellbeing
Sometimes the difficulty is not cerebral palsy itself but the barriers surrounding it.
Inaccessible environments, being excluded from activities or repeatedly encountering assumptions about disability can be stressful.
Finding supportive communities and people who understand disability can help reduce isolation.
Talking About How You Feel
Speaking to somebody you trust can be a useful first step.
You can also talk to your GP about persistent anxiety, low mood or other mental health concerns. They can discuss appropriate support and treatment options.
Looking After Your Wellbeing
Strategies vary between individuals but can include:
- maintaining social connections
- getting suitable physical activity
- making time for enjoyable activities
- managing sleep
- pacing activities where fatigue is an issue
- seeking support rather than waiting until things become overwhelming.
Physical and Mental Health Are Connected
Pain, poor sleep and fatigue can affect mood, while stress can make physical difficulties harder to manage.
Mental and physical health should therefore be considered together.
Seeking support for your mental health is just as legitimate as seeking treatment for a physical symptom.
Sources and further information
Useful websites
- NHS: Cerebral palsy
Overview of cerebral palsy, symptoms, causes, treatment and support.