teenage daughter with diabetes and dealing with her depression

[coco11]

My daughter recently  went  to a 'health" psychologist to see if we could get a better grip on her reponsibities and daily care.  He tells me she is depressed and wants her on anti depressants etc
She is an excellent student,though no peer group buddies where can she find support and is it good idea to mix in anti depressants for a teen already dealing with diabetes???

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hello.  I'm not a medical professional, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  First of all, is there a JDRF chapter close?  Most chapters have a decent support group set up.  ChildrenWithDiabetes.com also has ways to find and contact others in your area with diabetes.  One of the things we realized with our daughter is that she needs to be around other kids and adults with diabetes, because they are the positive role models for her.  I don't have diabetes, so I cannot be a role model.  I always advocate finding a support group, because no one understands better than someone dealing with the same things as you (and your daughter) every day.

As for anti-depressents, being on the drugs aren't necessarily a bad thing for a diabetic.  You might want to have her test more often for a while to see the effect that the medicine has on her system.  Good luck.

[Forum-vol-cmb]

I agree with the above response.  I just wanted you to know that you sound very supportive and even if your daughter doesn't tell you, she appreciates it.  I have been diabetic for 27 years and sometimes you get down about it.  I never really went to a group or camp for diabetes and I think I should have, I probably would have been healthier mentally and physically.  I kept everything inside and never really talked about my diabetes to anyone.  I now volunteer on this site and talk about diabetes and take really good care of myself and am proud how healthy I am and like to share rather than hide my diabetes with others.  
I had a supportive mother, who did the best she could and I appreciate everything she did for me.  

[boseephus]

Dear Mom<
Take great precaution when allowing antidepressant medication to be administered to your child at this age. I have had type 1 diabetes for 30 years and can tell you that with type 1 diabetes you need to keep very busy and exercise with the right diet or you will get depressed. Drugs are not the answer. She needs special attention and a secure feeling of being loved this will change everything. Keep her occupied and her mind off herself. Help people or something like that if she is not working. It will work wonders. If that does not work then try antidepressant medication for only a short period, but do not go over 1 year at her age.