I wonder if a person’s personality plays a role in the onset of scoliosis. I’m soft-spoken, sensitive and a strong feeling person. Is there a trend of other scoliosis patients that share these traits? Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been a medical mystery for some time. Scoliosis resources often mention the emotional aspects of the condition. However, they rarely include resources to support mental health.
“Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis presented a common style of personality, characterized by social inhibition (introversion), preference for staying alone, and being self-sufficient (self-reliance).” (source)
I fall in the middle of the extroversion-introversion spectrum. While I do enjoy time with others, time spent alone is essential for my recharging.
“Most research studies have documented a higher proportion of psychological disturbances (e.g., self-criticism, negative body image, low self-esteem) and mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and depressive disorders, personality disorders) among idiopathic scoliosis patients compared to healthy controls.” (source)
A study conducted in China came out this year that looked into the mental health of the parents of children with AIS. This is the first time I’ve come across a study that factors in parents in this way. The study found an association between parental depression and anxiety and the depression and anxiety of their AIS children. This study looked at the rate of incidence of probable major depressive disorder and probable general anxiety disorder. The rates of these mood disorders in parents were found to be approximately 14%. The study found this to be significantly higher than the control group (parents of “healthy children”). (source)
A study assessing depression in scoliosis patients concluded: “patients with scoliosis may have an increased risk of depression”. (source)
What does this mean for parents of children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
More research needs to take place to understand the role of mental health leading up to a diagnosis and continued care to improve patient outcomes. To my knowledge, there are no longitudinal studies that inform causation or correlations. What I gather is the mental health of parents of scoliosis patients is equally important and in need of attention as the patient themselves.
Mental health suggestions for parents and patients
- Engage in mind-body balance activities, like yoga, together
- Give yourself permission to learn what self-care means for you
- Consider working with a mental health professional to see if unaddressed trauma or grief is present
- Be kind to yourself
- Balance out time alone with intentional time with others
My body likes to hold on to unprocessed emotions and I know I am not unique in this respect. I’ve learned, and am still learning, how to recognize when my body is holding onto things and how these trapped emotions manifest. The most consistent hiding place surfaces as tension in my neck and shoulders. I’ve also found that when I’m in this state, I am slow to do the things that are good for me that get me out of it. A dear friend said to me once, “emotion follows motion”. If I continue to do what I’m doing (or not doing) the present state will remain. When I do something good for myself, like 20 minutes of yoga or 10 minutes of meditation, that state begins to change. Sometimes this awareness is fun, and sometimes it is frustrating. I can say I am thankful to have learned these lessons so I can share them here with you.
What are some activities you like to do to help you get into a good mental state? Leave a comment to inspire the rest of us below :)
