Inside Pediatrics Spring/Summer 2026

HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY

Managing the Mental Health Challenges Related to Sickle Cell Disease

P ain is as much a part of sickle cell disease as white lights are a part of Christmas. It’s what lands kids in the emergency room and hospital; it severely affects their quality of life; and it leaves them constantly on guard, lest it return. Less visible—but just as real—are the emotional, cognitive, and psychological burdens that accumulate over years of living with the condition. Now, Children’s of Alabama has a new program designed to address the non-physical aspects of the disease. Funded by a generous donor and developed by pediatric psychologist Kathryn “Kate” King, Ph.D., the program’s aim is to help kids with mental health issues related not only to their disease but to the stress of growing up in today’s world.

“Our kids and teens with sickle cell experience a lot of different psychosocial issues,” King said. “But first and foremost, they’re kids and teens. There’s so much that comes up that’s not even related to their sickle cell. But then it ends up impacting their sickle cell.” Like their peers, they experience anxiety, depressed mood, stress, and the challenges of growing up. But layered on top is a disease marked by chronic pain, complex treatment regimens, frequent medical visits and, for some, cognitive effects related to the disease itself. WHEN PAIN BECOMES CHRONIC Sickle cell pain is often thought of as acute flares that are treated and subside. But for many children and adolescents, King said, the pain becomes chronic. “It starts to become more frequent, and the pain signaling becomes more like a faulty fire alarm,” she said, continuously going off even when there’s no smoke.

Kathryn King, Ph.D.

“There’s so much that comes up that’s not even related to their sickle cell. But then it ends up impacting their sickle cell.”

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Inside Pediatrics | Children’s of Alabama