Let’s be cautious about our behavior

MAHAK head of psychology department shared some dos and don’ts (rules and regulations) regarding communication with children battling cancer.

There are certain ” restrictions” in regards to communication with these children , which needs to be acknowledged and followed by the child’s  parents and close relatives in order to protect the him/her from its negative effects.

As for these regulations ,the head of psychology department ,Maryam Mohammadali stated “ once children are diagnosed,they should not be under spotlight and constant attention since this can be interpreted as an abnormal situation or even spark  jealousy , unwanted empathy or pettiness from their siblings .As a result ,throughout the treatment process , it is advised to all the family members to behave normally and refrain from abnormal, unwanted behavior.”

Regarding various examinations, hospital admissions, receiving chemotherapeutic drugs can make the child sensitive and vulnerable, she stated that” in these situations, it is advised to behave logically and sympathetically and make an attempt to fully explain the therapeutic process.”

In addition, she stated “recurrent presence in the hospital setting and receiving drugs, can cause the child not perceive themselves as equal to other pupils especially if he/she is not allowed or advised to attend school for months. This problem can significantly affect the child’s self-esteem. Moreover, it is advised to ask for help from psychiatrists for a better healing journey.”

Emphasizing on the fact that changes in appearance which can appear as a direct result of therapy ,can bring challenges in case of child’s communication in social settings ,especially with their friends, Mrs Mohammadali stated “in this case it would beneficial to meet people with same circumstances and have the opportunity to socialize with them and gain valuable experience. MAHAK has always been keen on paying great attention to the aforementioned matters.”

MAHAK psychologists always thrive on having and practicing the best and the most updated guidelines on cancer child’s behavior in order to allow the healed and healing children to face the least amount of psychological burden.