Children of cardiac arrest survivors face their own significant emotional and psychological challenges following a parent’s sudden cardiac arrest. The experience of seeing or being told that a parent nearly died, combined with the disruption to family life and uncertainty about the future, can have a lasting impact on children of all ages.
Common responses in children include anxiety (particularly separation anxiety and worry that the parent may die again), sleep difficulties, changes in behaviour or school performance, and withdrawal. Older children and teenagers may suppress their feelings to protect their parents, or take on caring roles beyond what is appropriate for their age.
Children benefit from age-appropriate, honest information about what happened, reassurance about the parent’s current health, and maintained routines. School staff should be informed so they can provide additional support. If difficulties persist, a referral to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or a school counsellor may be appropriate.
Peer support organisations including Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) can connect families with others who have shared similar experiences. Family therapy may also be helpful where communication within the family has become difficult. See also co-survivor for the experience of adults close to the survivor.
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