Leukemia, known as "blood cancer" and mostly seen in childhood, also affects the mental health of the child. According to experts stating that behavioral changes may occur in the child, the child wants to be safe the most during this period. Emphasizing that parental attitudes are of primary importance, experts said, "The child wants to feel that he/she is protected and cared for and that his/her needs will be met. They want close attention, affection, to be listened to and understood by them."
The week between November 2-8 is known as Children with Leukemia Week in order to draw attention and raise awareness to leukemia, which is popularly known as "blood cancer" and is mostly seen between the ages of 2-5.
Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım from Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center pointed out that leukemia, which affects the physical health of the child, also affects mental health.
Child and family are affected together
Stating that both the child and the family are affected in the process from diagnosis to treatment, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım said:
"The astonishment brought by the disease and the differentiation of lifestyle and quality, the need for a new order and lifestyle is a process that affects both the child and all family members. During the disease process, there may be situations that require inpatient or outpatient treatment. Factors such as the type and degree of the disease, the age of the child, the conditions and structure of the family, the family's view of the disease, the history of the disease in more than one person, whether the disease is congenital or acquired, affect the perception, emotions and reactions of the child."
Depression may develop
Stating that if there are other conditions in addition to leukemia, conditions can become even more difficult, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım said, "Physical disability such as organ loss and deficiency, physiological and genetic such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases, psychiatric and neurological diseases. Psychiatric and neurological diseases such as diseases, intellectual disability, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity, speech disorders, developmental retardation; life limitations in nutrition, movement, socialization, self-care skills can cause the child to experience anxiety and anger. Depression may develop."
Protective attitude of the family prevents the child's skill development
Sayım also noted that according to studies, there may be neglect due to the child's illness, as well as an increase in the family's protective attitudes and the inability to develop the skills that the child can develop. Aynur Sayım stated that the 3D Emotion-Thought and Behavior Triangle can be mentioned in order to evaluate how the child perceives the disease, what they feel and how they behave, and underlined that this varies according to the age and developmental level of the child.
The child wants to be safe
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım emphasized that parental attitudes are of primary importance and said, "What the child needs most is a sense of security. The child wants to feel protected and taken care of, that their needs will be met. It needs to form a secure attachment with the caregiver. They want close attention, affection, to be listened to and understood by them. Family difficulties can have a negative impact on all these processes. How does the child feel in the face of a threat that disrupts this order? He is afraid, worried about himself and his loved ones, and does not feel safe."
Behavioral changes may occur
Aynur Sayım stated that the child's behavior may also change in this process and warned that "Psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder and social phobia, decreased school success, adaptation and behavioral problems, pause and regression of development may occur."
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım also listed the behaviors that can be seen in this period as follows:
"Speech may be delayed. He/she cannot socialize sufficiently. Motor development may be affected. Behaviors required by age may be delayed. There may be sleep and appetite irregularities. Weight and height gain may stall. Introversion or aggressive behavior may be observed. School failure may be observed. Dependency on mother may emerge. Difficulties in friend adjustment may occur. Anger and aggression may be seen towards the sibling."
Aynur Sayım pointed out that if more than one person in the family has a history of the disease, the situation becomes more difficult and the conditions may become even more difficult.
Stating that there may be special situations other than the disease, Aynur Sayım listed these as loss of parents, divorce, communication difficulties within the family, economic problems, lack of environmental support, trauma and adoption.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım also stated that the support and rehabilitation program should be organized in the form of consultancy to both the individual and the family in line with the needs of the individual.
The first stage is acceptance
Aynur Sayım pointed out that in the face of the difficulty experienced by the whole family, it is necessary to focus on the needs and what the child needs and make arrangements in this area, rather than focusing primarily on the child's illness or the situation experienced, "The family can do this with support. The primary stage in all illnesses and losses is to ensure acceptance. Ensuring acceptance of the disease should be the first work."
The doctor also has duties
Stating that the doctor also has duties during the diagnosis and treatment phase of the disease, Aynur Sayım said, "In losses, illness and other life events, the problem should be defined and the family and the child should be informed. What is the name of the disease, what is the course, how will the treatment be, what can be experienced in the process should be explained. The age and developmental level of the child determines the content of the explanation. This should be done by the doctor and the psychologist/psychiatrist. Both the child and the family should be informed. The family should first of all become aware, learn what they will struggle with, how they will behave, and what kind of a process awaits them."
The child should be informed about the disease
Emphasizing that the home and living arrangement should be shaped according to the difficulty experienced, Aynur Sayım stated that informing the child is also very important and said the following:
"The behavior of family members should also be guided by the counselor. Home care and counseling services are also provided in our country. In a study conducted in our country, it was determined that families avoided informing their children about treatment and hospitalization for various reasons, hiding the situation from their children, giving incomplete or incorrect information. In another study, it was stated that the reason for children's fear of medical intervention was that their families gave little information to their children about the intervention."
A special program should be made for the family
Stating that the relatives of the child diagnosed with leukemia are also very affected by this process, Aynur Sayım said, "Considering that factors such as the problem, disease, degree of the disease, course of the disease, treatment process, family relations, socio-economic level experienced by each family differ from each other, it is necessary to make a rehabilitation program for that family."
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Aynur Sayım emphasized the importance of family, treatment-support team-school cooperation in children's problems.