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Toll of Diabetes on children.

As a parent, dealing with the diagnosis of our child with diabetes is heart-aching. We all thrive for our children to live healthy , free of pain, and worry. The moment we encounter the truth about our Child’s diagnosis, we focus on medications then food. We never consider the emotional dilemma that can also greatly impact our diabetic children.

Living with diabetes 24 /7 challenges anyone, this is a lot to grasp as a child. It's critical that you pay attention to your child's emotional needs. Read the below 6 emotional reality checks about diabetic children and teen.

1.    Mom,Why I am different ?

• Diabetics kids needs regular blood tests , medications and clinic visits they need special attention in the schools and day care. They are at higher risk of feeling isolated and embarssed.

2.    Mom,Is it just a bad dream ?

• Denial. Because children want to blend-in with others they may sometimes pretend they don’t have diabetes. Take care !,it’s alraming when they have to check time for medications or control some food cravings.

3.    Mom,What did I do wrong to deserve this ?

• Some children may feel like their illness is their fault.They can also feel they are a burden on others. This puts them at increased risk of resenting their situation, of getting sad feelings and depression.
• In younger school-age children, studies noted an increase of depressive symptoms after the first year of diagnosis. Over time, anxiety seem to decrease in boys but increase in girls
•  Take care, Anxeity and depression can affect the Diabetes control . Higher A1C levels in adolescents have been associated with depressive symptoms, 

4.    Mom,No,I am not talking medication.

·   Parents will be responsible for overseaing their diabetic child health. That’s more control. Some children might face that with anger

·  For Adolescents , the family nagging and arguing increases the risk of repellence

5.    Mom,I am scared.

·  Diabeties control requires regular tests. Fear of needles is a norm.

·  Undertanding the real reasons behind diabetes and what is it is somthimes hard for younger ones.

6. Mom, I can’t focus .
   • Young people with diabetes are at increased risk for information processing weaknesses and learning problems, especially if there is a background of early diabetes onset, severe hypoglycemia, or chronic hyperglycemia

It is important for us to recognize the feelings our kids with diabetes might have and learn ways to help them. It’s very important to seek professional regular check-ups on the psychological effects of children and adolescents with chronic illness.  

Know How TABIBI Team including diabetologist  and phycologists can help.

Refrences

·         Asma Deeb,et.al “Common Issues Seen in Paediatric Diabetes Clinics, Psychological Formulations, and Related Approaches to Management,” Journal of Diabetes Research, vol. 2018, Article ID 1684175, 8 pages, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1684175.

·         Pediatric Diabetes 2014: ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2014 Compendium : Psychological care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: 15(Suppl. 20): 232–244 doi: 10.1111/pedi.12191

·         https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/type1.html

·         https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/feelings-diabetes.html

·         J Fam Health Care. 2012 Dec;22(6):16-7, 19-22.