Teenagers with Diabetes

 How to help them cope with it

A diagnosis of diabetes in a teenager can pull apart their fragile self-esteem.

More than anything else, teenagers need to be given hope and hear messages of optimism. They are struggling with their own identity, fitting in with their peer group, and struggling to show their independence. Now more than ever, they need the love and support of those who have already experienced what is happening to them. Positive examples should be put in front of them; they need optimism at this point. They need to believe that they can still have a healthy and fulfilled life or they may slip into depression. If that happens, it will make it even more difficult to cope with controlling their blood sugar levels.  The support your teen receives at this critical time of their life will have a huge impact on how your teen adjusts to the diagnosis.

The fears and feelings that come with the diagnosis of diabetes will affect the teens but also the parents. As a parent you may find thinking: What will I tell them? What will I tell the school, family, baby-sitters, and friends? Will my child be able to live a normal life of playing with friends, staying overnight at a friend’s house, or be able to take part in sports?

Suddenly you are faced with testing blood sugar levels, injections, changing the way you and your child eat, and how do you cope? These and other questions are common among parents with newly diagnosed childhood disease. A parent should connect with other parents who have gone through the same feelings when their child was diagnosed. Support groups that put you in touch with other parents coping with the disease and help you to find some of the answers to your questions. It will help to know you are not alone. By sharing experiences, you will find your anxiety and fear fade away.

They may be learning new methods, start healthier diets, and learn to control the disease. Parents and teens both may not be allowed to voice their concerns, their anger, and even grief. They may be so pushed to learn control methods, how to give injections, warning signs to look for, and the complications that could occur, they may not have time to grieve for the life they would have lived.

It’s ok for teens and parents to ask, "Why me? Did I do something that caused the disease in my child? Did I eat too many sweet foods?" If these questions are not addressed and answered, it may make it difficult for both parents and teens to cope with their diagnosis. Teens may look to their parents for answers, and parents may be so overwhelmed they have a difficult time answering the questions teens have.