Child Psychology Help

[jamesnan]

Not sure what category this should go in, but I am trying to help my sister find some help for her 13 year old daughter. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and is in denial, not giving truthful blood readings etc, and this has been going on for a while, resents having to have injections every day, and is always eating. She also has learning problems,which is almost certainly a form of dyslexia, and has difficulty at school. Her family life has broken up with her father leaving the family home to act like a single man again. She has an older sister, who is good at school, and has no medical problems.
The diabetes nurse has said that she definitely needs physchiatric help, but that there is no help available in our area. Where/who does my sister turn to where she may be able to get some help for her daughter - she has been told the problem, but not the answers. We live in the Essex area.

[queenofmean]

I have been a Diabetic since I was 2 and I am now 25 - I have also had bad times with my diabetes and have had to see a psychiatrist twice once when I was 9 and again when I was in my late teens. If I can be of any help at all please please feel free to contact me or if your sister wants to get in touch please pass on my throwaway email. [email protected]

I can understand how your niece is feeling as being a teenager and coping with this can be difficult.

Queenie x

[anneasquith]

Q, hope you don't mind . but I knew you would understand more than most.

[tamborine]

If she refuses medicines the it needs controlling by diet

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Managing-your-diabetes/Healthy-eating--herbal-supplements/

[nungate]

Jamesnan please pass queenofmean' s contact details along. She has been through this and eventually came out the other side, though I can't say unscathed, as she has suffered some damage to her sight and had to undergo laser treatment to prevent losing her sight altogether. It can help to talk things through, and having gone through this with her we both have a lot of practical experience to share
Nungate aka Queenie's mum

[woofgang]

tambo, if the diabetes is type one, then although a poor diet will make it worse, sadly the best diabetic diet in the universe won't make it better. I'd also suggest that if this child is in denial about her diabetes, dietary compliance is going to be impossible to achieve....

[jamesnan]

Thank you for all your answers, and I will pass on all relevant information to my sister. My niece does give herself injections, sometimes 4 a day, and usually without complaining too much, but it is a constant worry for my sister if she is being told wrong readings, etc, and therefore is not having the adequate amount of medications. She eats a fairly limited diet, but it is high on carbohydrates because that is what she likes and chooses. The diabetes is a big problem but together with the dyslexia it is a major factor for a 13 year old to adapt to.

[pixie373]

Is she struggling to read the machine? I was thinking it was a,rebellious stage, but is the dyslexia making her get it wrong?

[nungate]

A diet high in carbs isn't good for a diabetic, and if she isn't doing her BM's (blood tests) nobody can set her insulin levels correctly. I assume she is attending the diabetic clinic? If so they will test her blood every time for a hb1c (or something like that) which checks the underlying sugar levels, she or her mum should be able to contact her diabetes nurse who can help and advise (and also sort out counselling) There is so much help out there, like I said before please ask her or her mum to drop us a line on Queenie's throwaway, I'm sure we can come up with some advice. N.

[queenofmean]

Would it be possible for your sister to gain access to the meter and obtain the meter herself and be able to check the readings? Its just a thought.

[jamesnan]

My sister has just obtained a new meter for her, which will download the readings directly into a computer, and which will therefore mean that a true and correct amount of insulin can be given to her. She was not giving the correct readings because it is a way of denying the situation, rebellious! The diabetic nurse is in contact with the family, and visits the school and home, but it is not every week, and therefore the situation has existed for a while without my sister being aware. The nurse has strongly recommended phsychiatric help for her.

[nungate]

That's good news Jamesnan. Queenie went through a dreadful phase and didn't even take her insulin. How long has your niece been diabetic? I only ask as a jab four time a day seems a lot for a relatively new diabetic. There often is a "honeymoon" period where the body still produces some insulin but not enough for the body use.

[queenofmean]

I know how your sister and niece feel, I have been there myself. My nurse has makes me call in to her at least 3 times a month. Its good though that you have a meter like that it will help. I had to see a psychologist and it has helped me come to grips with a lot of things, so if I can be of any help then please let me know.

[jamesnan]

My niece was diagnosed just over 2 years ago, and she was put straight on to insulin 4 times a day. She seems to have the same amount every day as far as I am aware.
Thank you so much for all the help, advice and support.