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Introduction to Parenting Children with Chronic Infection

8/3/2013

2 Comments

 

Introduction to Parenting Children with Chronic Infection

In the past several years in practice, I am finding that young children with Lyme disease, PANDAS, etc are very much misunderstood as are their parents. In this section, I will be introducing the different aspects of parenting a child with chronic infection. Lyme disease and other infections can create neurological, behavioral and mental health related symptoms. This blog will provide discussions about many of these issues.

I know it is difficult for one to imagine what it is like to parent a child who is experiencing chronic pain and fatigue which limits their activities, from having to be carried often to being unable to play outside. Maybe they stop riding their bikes, dismiss playing at the park, want to watch a ton of tv or spend their time playing video games...a parent with a chronically ill child often parents differently than they ever thought they would. It can be a difficult balance.

School and social situations often become a significant challenge. A child with Lyme disease can struggle with executive functioning deficits. Some find it hard to do simple chores, complete homework on their own and keep a clean room. This is more pronounced than one might expect developmentally. Sometimes relatives or friends don't really understand and verbalize an expectation of chores and tasks that you know are not really doable. They fail to recognize the significance of specific behaviors which you realize indicate pending trouble. Getting them to understand these behaviors, stop judging your neurotic vigilance and avoid applying pressure on your child to meet their own expectations can be a challenge. 

Emotional outbursts and lability are common in young children with infection. Their senses are often overloaded, making eating out or visiting other noisy environments difficult to manage. Social situations may become troublesome when your child might do something dreadful to another child. Your child, when in an infection spiral, may actually scare you. If children would react to over stimulus gently and easily that would make it easier, but they often don't. Overstimulation, unbalanced blood sugar, over fatigue can all cause meltdowns. Brain inflammation can create heightened anxiety, poor impulsive control, lack of judgement and OCD type symptoms. Emotional regulation becomes an impossible task. Many parents feel at a loss as to what they can do. 

For several years I worked closely with a physician who treated Lyme disease, PANDAS and other infections impacting the brain. She taught me a great deal on the medical side of these infections and I studied tirelessly to understand the clinical implications for my clients as well as my family . This strengthened my abilities as a clinician, as well as guiding me through something very painful. Parenting my own children and watching their little brains being invaded by Lyme, Bartonella, Strep and Babesia. I know how hard life with infection can be because I not only see it often in my practice, but have also lived it as a parent at home.

I hope this section of the blog and the way each of these topics are explored helps you feel that you are not alone. Providing a place to feel understood and validated is the goal..maybe it allows you to understand someone you love a little better or helps you feel compassion where you didn't before. Lyme, PANDAS and others are complicated diseases and impact every area of our lives. Although you will not be able to identify with all symptoms, you will probably feel that many are familiar. Each entry will be packed with informative ideas and tools to help you and your PANDAS/Lyme literate team navigate a difficult disease with more confidence and a sense of hopefulness. Please browse the available topics now and bookmark and come back later for more!


2 Comments
Gabrielle
9/6/2013 04:48:34 am

I am interested in hearing your thoughts and reactions to any of the blogs. Let us know your thoughts! Gabrielle

Reply
Laura
9/17/2013 08:54:08 am

I forwarded this post on to my family and friends. This year, since my kids and I were diagnosed with Lyme, has often been very difficult because so many do not know about Lyme disease and therefore do not understand all the ways Lyme can affect physical and mental health.This post was a not-so-pushy way for me to provide some much needed information. The more people understand, the more they're able to sympathize and support.

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    Author 

    Unless specified, Gabrielle Anderson, lmft is the author of these posts. Gabrielle is a Therapist and the Director at FTC. She is a married mother of 2 and has experienced chronic infection in the practice, herself and in her family.



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  • Us
    • Meet the Team >
      • What is an Intern?
      • What is a Resident?
    • Blog: Varied Topics by Our Clinicians
    • Blog: Lyme, PANDAS & Other Infections in Children & Adults
  • Adults & Teens
    • Individual Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • In Crisis?
  • Child/Tween
    • Play Therapy Explained
    • Issues We Treat
    • Playful Tele-Health
    • In Crisis?
  • Meditation
    • 8 Week Stress Series
  • Admin & Contact Info
    • Paperwork for Chloe Cook Clients
  • For Other Therapists
    • Play Therapy Trainings >
      • Play Therapy Training
      • Play Training: Jan 22, 2021
      • Play Training: March 19, 2021
      • Grievances & Refunds
    • CE Trainings
    • Supervision: RPT