Psycho-social aspects of children and adolescents with diabetes

Abstract

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, a life-long disease with many possible complications, has a dramatic impact upon the entire family, precipitating a state of "shock". The psychological problems in diabetes should be divided in 3 periods: at diagnosis (other diseases or tension existing in the family and not related to diabetes, socio-economic state); initial adaptation period (acceptance to be "different", adjustment to rules of control such as daily injection of insulin, self blood glucose monitoring or urine testing, changing of nutritional habits, etc.), and long term coping (self-image, family dynamics, social activities, school achievements, vocational rehabilitation and continuing compliance. Counselling of the psychological problems is an ongoing need and is best delivered when the treating team included psychologists and social workers.

Family system dynamics and type 1 diabetic glycemic variability: A vector-auto-regressive model.

“…Each developmental stage was described as having its own characteristics in family structure and self-concept. Similarly, Laron, Galatzer, Amir, Gil, and Karp (1989) found at least three periods of adjustment a diabetes Type 1 diagnosis, each with specific psychological changes within the patient and her family. Both studies question whether our results generalize to all age groups or patients.…”

Natural History of Type I Diabetes Mellitus in Childhood

“…The education should be individual, with group discussions, and include if necessary home visits. Education of the school personnel of a diabetic child is a very important link in the management [ 8,91 . Diabetic children can participate in all school and social activities and should be counselled how this can be done.…”