Diabetes
I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes as an adolescent and therefore have a good understanding of the work involved in managing the condition. Initially, newly diagnosed diabetic patients may go through a grieving process as they cope with the “why me” struggle. Trying to manage diabetes often means anger, frustration and fear. Pressure to improve your diabetes management can lead to anger and resentment. The social aspects of diabetes management also play a factor. Concerned others who attempt to monitor what you eat can be aggravating. The hassle of managing an insulin pump or monitoring your blood sugar levels can be an overwhelming task. The stress of daily management can also lead to burn out and resentment. Together we discuss how to live with the daily difficulty of glucose management, how to respond to pressures from others and how to better enjoy a fulfilling life as a person who lives with diabetes.
Parents of Diabetic Children and Teenagers
Parents of diabetic children often go through a grieving process of their own, including anger and resentment, when their child is diagnosed. These parents often live in worry and fear about diabetic complications that seem to be elaborated on constantly in diabetic literature. This can sometimes develop into a challenging relationship with a teenager who does not manage their diabetes as well as you would like. I work with you to understand your feelings and concerns. Together we develop a workable plan for how to best partner with your child in their diabetes management. We also work together to learn to cope with the fear and anxiety that can preoccupy parents of diabetic children.
Social Implications
Fortunately, some diabetic patients live in supportive environments. Unfortunately, others encounter negative social responses including guilt, exclusion and at worse, shaming. I work with family members and diabetic patients themselves to deal with these responses most effectively. You may be afraid to disclose to your employer that you have diabetes. Additionally, your children may encounter parents that won’t let their own children play with your child because your child has diabetes. We work together to deal effectively with the troubling responses we sometimes encounter from others.