Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, affects about 1 in 10 children. Kids with AD have dry, itchy skin that can negatively affect their everyday lives. But the condition doesn’t just cause physical symptoms; it can also take a toll on your child’s emotional health.
Research shows children and adolescents with AD have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, behavior problems, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The good news is you can help your child with AD manage their emotions.
What’s the Link Between AD and Mental Health?
A survey from a representative sample of U.S. children found severe mental health disorders are nearly twice as common in kids with AD, compared to those without the condition.
In one large study of more than 72,000 middle and high school students, researchers found those with AD are also much more apt to report suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
Other research has shown that younger children with AD are more likely to have conduct issues, emotional challenges, and inattention or hyperactivity.
Can Mental Health Conditions Worsen AD?
While children with AD are clearly more prone to emotional challenges, the reverse is also true. Symptoms of certain mental illnesses can trigger symptoms of AD.
For instance, anxiety and stress can prompt AD flare-ups. In turn, those AD episodes can promote more anxiety and stress. It’s important to treat both the physical and emotional symptoms of AD to address this cycle.
Signs of a Mental Health Concern in Kids With AD
Symptoms of depression in kids may include:
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Anger, crying, or crankiness
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- A lack of interest in usual activities
- Low energy
- A hard time thinking or concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Here are some possible signs of anxiety in children:
- Fear or worry that interferes with everyday life
- Physical complaints, like stomachaches or headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Crankiness
- A hard time concentrating
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
Kids with ADHD may show the following:
- Trouble staying focused
- Hyperactivity
- A hard time staying on task
- A lack of organizational skills
- Rash decision-making
Not all kids with AD will show the same signs of a mental health disorder. You should check with your health care provider if you think your child struggles with emotional challenges.
Why Does AD Affect Mental Health?
Researchers don’t know everything about how AD affects mental health, but some things that may impact kids are:
- The constant itching and painful AD flare-ups can lead to stress, which raises the risk for mental health issues.
- Poor sleep quality due to itching can lead to mood changes. Nearly 30% of children with AD report disrupted sleep 5 or more nights a week.
- The visible skin rashes can cause feelings of embarrassment or low self-esteem.
- Biological factors, such as the way children’s bodies send signals to their brains during AD episodes, may make them more vulnerable to mental health disorders.
- Some kids with AD take the asthma medication montelukast, which has been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Ways to Support Your Child’s Emotional Health
Research suggests that when a child’s emotional health improves, they have fewer eczema flares. Here are some ways to help your child handle tough emotions:
Encourage good sleeping patterns. Sleep is important for physical and mental health. If itching keeps your child up at night, ask your doctor about treatments that could help.
Provide healthy foods. A well-balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and veggies could improve your child’s mood. And some people find that some foods can trigger their eczema symptoms, so you may want to note which ones seem to bother your child and steer clear of those.
Promote exercise. Regular exercise can ward off symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
Try relaxation practices: Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help lessen stress.
See a mental health provider. If your child is struggling with symptoms of a mental health disorder, a qualified professional can help you explore treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help kids with AD manage stress and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Medications are also an option for some children with mental health concerns.
How You Can Care for Yourself
If you’re a caregiver for a child with AD, you may also have emotional stress. Managing doctor’s appointments, medication routines, and symptoms can be mentally draining. In one large survey, mothers of kids with AD reported higher stress levels and more suicidal thoughts than mothers of kids with asthma.
So it’s important that you take good care of yourself, too. If you make your mental health a priority, you will be better suited to support your child.
Here are some ways to cope:
- Give yourself credit for all you do.
- Take care of your own health.
- Accept help from family members and friends.
- Journal your feelings each day.
- Join a support group.
- Set aside time for things you love.
- Talk to your health care provider about treatment options if your symptoms impact your daily life.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics: “Eczema in Babies and Children.”
American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Eczema Types: Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms,” “Emotional Support May Help Control Eczema.”
National Eczema Association: “Eczema Stats,” “Eczema and Emotional Wellness,” “Eczema and Mental Health in Children.”
National Eczema Society: “Mental Health Support.”
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: “Mental health impairment among children with atopic dermatitis: a U.S. population-based cross-sectional study of the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey.”
BMC Psychiatry: “Association of atopic dermatitis with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors among adolescents in Korea: the 2013 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey.”
BMC Pediatrics: “Atopic diseases in children and adolescents are associated with behavioural difficulties.”
CDC: “Anxiety and Depression in Children,” “Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents.”
Nationwide Children’s: “Anxiety.”
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): “Stress.”
Columbia University Department of Psychiatry: “How Sleep Deprivation Impacts Mental Health.”
Mental Health Foundation: “Diet and Mental Health.”
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: “Psychiatric Medication for Children and Adolescent Part II – Types of Medications.”
Eczema Society of Canada: “Support for Caregivers.”
Acta Dermato-Venereologica: “Psychological Stress in Parents of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-sectional Study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.”
Caregiver Action Network: “10 Tips for Family Caregivers.”
