About physical illness

Having a physical illnes or disability can affect children's mental health.

Parents whose children have physical illnesses should make sure their child’s emotional and mental health needs are taken into account, and that they get support if they need it.

Charity Contact A Family, provides medical information about all disabilities and illnesses, including rarer syndromes, and runs a network for families to support each other.

If your child has physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems but no physical cause can be found by doctors or health staff, there may be a psychological element to the symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. If this may be the case, ask for a referral to specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).