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Diabetes - Juvenile Community
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Depressed diabetic child hearing voices
by MomA82207, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
I have an 11 year old boy who has had diabetes since he was 1. Lately, he's been stressed out, depressed, talking about suicide and has started hearing voices. He tends to like to be in control and is a perfectionist. Has anyone else noticed a similar problem with their diabetic child and what did they do? Thanks, Marjorie
Doctor's Answer
by JDRF-Team-ES, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
Dear Marjorie,
I can only imagine how worried you must be about your son. Managing an 11 year old who is diabetic can be stressful enough without worrying about his mental state. Those of us who have had diabetes since childhood know that it can cause depression, anger and a host of other turbulent emotions. Having a chronic illness, especially as a child, is not easy. Every child is different and it can be harder for some than for others. It sounds like your child is having a particularly difficult time. Whenever anyone talks about suicide, it is cause for an immediate response. I would recommend taking your child to a therapist who is experienced in working with depressed children as soon as possible. His school counselor or doctor may have some names to recommend. I would also alert the school counselor to what is going on so that he/she can keep an eye on him during the day and maybe provide him with a little extra attention. Depression is nothing to take lightly. Although most diabetics have dificult days and may experience some mood swings, talking about suicide is not what you would normally expect. A good psychological evaluation is in order to rule out any seriuos problems and to help him get through this difficult period.
In the meantime, being a perfectionist is the blessing and the curse for diabetics. Good self care demands a little perfectionism, but unfortunately , even with perfect management, diabetes can have a mind of its own. This can be particularly frustraing to a child who is trying so hard to do everything right and his blood sugars may still not be perfect. We have no control over so many factors that contribute to blood sugar control and that can be infuriating. You can help him by reassuring him that you know he is doing the best he can and that there are things that no one can control. He may also be frightened about what might happen to him if he has high blood sugars one day. An extra dose of reassurance, caring and support support may be what he needs rihg now. You may want to contact your local JDRF chapter to see if there are any support groups both for him and for you. Hearing from others who share the same struggles and challenges that you are both facing can be comforting and also help you both gain some new ideas and perspectives.
I know that things can get better and I encourage you to get the help you need to help you son. Please let us know how things go.
Es
I can only imagine how worried you must be about your son. Managing an 11 year old who is diabetic can be stressful enough without worrying about his mental state. Those of us who have had diabetes since childhood know that it can cause depression, anger and a host of other turbulent emotions. Having a chronic illness, especially as a child, is not easy. Every child is different and it can be harder for some than for others. It sounds like your child is having a particularly difficult time. Whenever anyone talks about suicide, it is cause for an immediate response. I would recommend taking your child to a therapist who is experienced in working with depressed children as soon as possible. His school counselor or doctor may have some names to recommend. I would also alert the school counselor to what is going on so that he/she can keep an eye on him during the day and maybe provide him with a little extra attention. Depression is nothing to take lightly. Although most diabetics have dificult days and may experience some mood swings, talking about suicide is not what you would normally expect. A good psychological evaluation is in order to rule out any seriuos problems and to help him get through this difficult period.
In the meantime, being a perfectionist is the blessing and the curse for diabetics. Good self care demands a little perfectionism, but unfortunately , even with perfect management, diabetes can have a mind of its own. This can be particularly frustraing to a child who is trying so hard to do everything right and his blood sugars may still not be perfect. We have no control over so many factors that contribute to blood sugar control and that can be infuriating. You can help him by reassuring him that you know he is doing the best he can and that there are things that no one can control. He may also be frightened about what might happen to him if he has high blood sugars one day. An extra dose of reassurance, caring and support support may be what he needs rihg now. You may want to contact your local JDRF chapter to see if there are any support groups both for him and for you. Hearing from others who share the same struggles and challenges that you are both facing can be comforting and also help you both gain some new ideas and perspectives.
I know that things can get better and I encourage you to get the help you need to help you son. Please let us know how things go.
Es
Post Comment
Parents will probably post and give some suggestions regarding their experiences, but I think everyone would agree that this is outside the realm of a normal variant of adaptation to a chronic disease.
Please seek out help for your child if you have not already done so.
Suicide talk is cry ... if not a moaning ... for help.
If you're lucky enough to live near a large city, you might find a psychiatrist who specialized in pediatrics, especially depression associated with chronic illness. Your son's depression might (not) be directly related to diabetes, but as was pointed out diabetes management is fraught with "control" issues. We hvae some, we don't have all we need or would like.
Many 11 year olds, as 6th graders, are just beginning at a "new" big middle school, where they are suddenly small, sometimes ridiculed, and often feel insecure after being the "big kids" at their elementary school. In many areas their school includes 8th graders who are so very different and can be so intimidating to the 6th graders. So, depressoin could be rooted in school issues, too.
Be lovingly attentive to your boy, afford him safe opportunities to share what's aching his heart. Perhaps thru music or art or some other activity that he used to enjoy, you can begin to reach him while you're awaiting your appointment. Do tell the doc's office that being seen is *urgent* however.