Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects mental health. Even if cerebral palsy is mild, you still have your mental health to think about. Mental and physical health are continually interconnected.

Cerebral Palsy

Although cerebral palsy increases your risk of developing anxiety and depression, untreated anxiety and depression can contribute to poor physical health. It is easy for others to overlook the importance of mental health around the condition.

It is not cerebral palsy that causes anxiety and depression. It is mental health issues associated with cerebral palsy that causes anxiety and depression.

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities or chronic health conditions like cerebral palsy are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop anxiety and depression.

Accessing Mental Health 

Assessing a person’s mental health should be a key component of health screenings and practitioners recognising the signs of mental health issues in patients is key to improving mental health in society, and in our communities.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “Cerebral Palsy and Mental Health”

  1. You're right that assessing a person's mental health should be A key component in health screenings, health coverage.

    Unfortunately, some medical professionals are preoccupied with the size of their wallets than thoughtful and thorough healthcare. I saw this with my own eyes when my mother was sick.

    The numbers reflect the truth, we all need assistance when it comes to mental health.

    1. Thanks Tim. You're also right. Working in the medical profession has become too much of a business, less of a caring profession. Perhaps the system is partly responsible for that.

      In the UK the National Health Service although free to us, it doesn't pay Consultants well, so they invariably have to subsidise themselves with private work.

      But the service they provide must reflect how much they charge. Mental health is massively important, even more so when you're dealing with illness.

      I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your mum.

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