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Chronic Diseases and Disability Can Undermine Self-Esteem
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CarolynAndersonn posted:
Children suffering from physical illness, particularly chronic diseases and disabilities are at an obvious risk to develop low self-esteem. Illness can undermine a child's personality both directly and indirectly. Direct effects are the ones, which result from the disability caused by the illness. Indirect effects of chronic illness may lead to a variety of personality disorders - low self-esteem being the commonest one.Much however depends upon the attitudes of parents, teachers and other persons in close contact with the child. Parents, who choose to emphasize their child's illness and limitations, make him/her more vulnerable to failure. It is much better to concentrate on the talents, strengths and success that the child displays. Treating the child as 'normal' rather than as 'sick' is generally a preferred option. However this should not be overdone, otherwise inadvertently the child may be denied needed health care and educational and emotional support.
Acceptance of the child's problem, realistic expectations and continuous encouragement are the key measures while dealing with a sick child. If children are made to feel valued and regarded as worthwhile persons inspite of their disease or disability their self-esteem gets bolstered. They may overcome the ill effects of their physical condition to a great extent and become successful in life.
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0 Replies |Report This| Share this:Chronic Diseases and Disability Can Undermine Self-EsteemChildren suffering from physical illness, particularly chronic diseases and disabilities are at an obvious risk to develop low self-esteem. Illness can undermine a child's personality both directly and indirectly.<img src=http://ads.associatedcontent.com/www/delivery/lg.php?category_id=5&amp;content_type=article&amp;content_type_id=867421&amp;key_page=182177212442736289&amp;site_id=1&amp;bannerid=5522&amp;campaignid=1686&amp;zoneid=2&amp;loc=1&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.associatedcontent.com%2Farticle%2F867421%2Fchronic_diseases_and_disability_can.html%3Fcontent_type%3Darticle%26content_type_id%3D867421%26cat%3D5&amp;cb=2db34d045b class=post_img /><img src=http://ads.associatedcontent.com/www/delivery/lg.php?category_id=5&amp;content_type=article&amp;content_type_id=867421&amp;key_page=182177212442736289&amp;site_id=1&amp;bannerid=11791&amp;campaignid=3153&amp;zoneid=23&amp;loc=1&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.associatedcontent.com%2Farticle%2F867421%2Fchronic_diseases_and_disability_can.html%3Fcontent_type%3Darticle%26content_type_id%3D867421%26cat%3D5&amp;cb=90b45e45c6 class=post_img /> Direct effects are the ones, which result from the disability caused by the illness. Indirect effects of chronic illness may lead to a variety of personality disorders - low self-esteem being the commonest one.Much however depends upon the attitudes of parents, teachers and other persons in close contact with the child. Parents, who choose to emphasize their child's illness and limitations, make him/her more vulnerable to failure. It is much better to concentrate on the talents, strengths and success that the child displays. Treating the child as 'normal' rather than as 'sick' is generally a preferred option. However this should not be overdone, otherwise inadvertently the child may be denied needed health care and educational and emotional support.<br />Acceptance of the child's problem, realistic expectations and continuous encouragement are the key measures while dealing with a sick child. If children are made to feel valued and regarded as worthwhile persons inspite of their disease or disability their self-esteem gets bolstered. They may overcome the ill effects of their physical condition to a great extent and become successful in life.
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