Depending on the child’s age, fear and anxiety can be lessened through verbalization, play and other activities. These types of interactions can also help the child gain self confidence and security by controlling the activity. Encourage the child to participate in dramatic play through the use of cars, dolls, trucks and modeling clay; anything that encourages the use of the child’s imagination. This will help the child return to as normal a life as possible and make them feel like a person instead of a patient. Be sure to listen to the child with patience and love and respond with an optimistic attitude and words.
Grieving
Just as a family grieves the death of a child, there is a grieving process when a child suffers residual effects from Reye’s Syndrome. Parents, siblings and close extended family members will mourn the part of the child that is lost forever. Feelings of guilt, disbelief, fear, sadness, frustration, fear, regret, anger, despair, loneliness, helplessness and isolation are common. These feelings and emotions are perfectly normal and have to be accepted as such. If not, additional family problems will occur and set the family unit into a state of turmoil and upheaval. This will make problems more pronounced and a vicious circle that has no end will begin.
Emotions and Feelings
Many times mothers tend to dedicate themselves wholly to the Reye’s child and neglect the other members of the family. On the other hand, sometimes family members go to the extreme and totally reject and withdraw from the Reye’s child. All emotions must be monitored closely so that feelings of guilt, jealousy and grief can be resolved. Open discussion among all family members is imperative and everyone needs to truthfully express their feelings to the others.
If your child has recently come home from hospital after being treated for Reye’s Syndrome, don’t hesitate seek professional help in order to resolve all issues of grieving. Families with special needs children have access to many resources that will help them cope both emotionally and financially.