Snowdrop

Anxiety isn't a problem that you would automatically think to associate with cerebral palsy, but some children really do suffer quite badly with it. This can be due to many reasons. One reason is the discomfort produced by stiff musculature. A high muscle tone can be uncomfortable for a child and having to cope with this constantly is bound to have an anxiety raising effect.

Another possible cause can be the overproduction of norepinephrine in the brain, leaving the child on a hyper-anxiety inducing adrenaline 'high.'

Yet another cause can be sensory over-sensitivity. - A child who is unable to mask extraneous incoming sensory stimulation, but who sees, feels and / or hears too much, or whose sensory system over-amplifies incoming stimulation is likely to experience anxiety.

Another factor can be lack of sleep. Many children who have cerebral palsy have a poor sleeping pattern. We all know how we feel if we lose a night's sleep, tired, overstressed and anxious.  So for many children, anxiety can simply be part of their every day existence.

There are techniques, which Snowdrop employs within some of its programmes, which are designed to help relieve this situation, but in the most severe cases intervention can be necessary with anti – anxiety medications.