Psychological Aspects of Chronic Disease

Chronic illness in childhood presents many challenges for the child and adolescent mental health clinician. Between 10 and 20 million American children and adolescents have some type of chronic health condition or impairment. This issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics provides examines several major chronic illnesses in depth to provide a better understanding of the physical demands, medical treatment requirements, social limitations, and general prognosis for the child. Articles include: an overview of the biopsychosocial issues and risk factors for children with a chronic illness; child mental health consultation with families of medically compromised infants; psychological issues associated with such conditions as HIV infection, asthma and diabetes; and an analysis of the impact of chronic illness on self-esteem, academic performance, and sports participation.