November 4, 1999
Behavior
Question from Indiana, USA:
My boyfriend is a 21 year old Type 1 diabetic, diagnosed when he was 3. His health on average is good, but I worry about his lack of concern when his blood readings are very high (240-412) and when he has insulin reactions. He tends to go for sugary snacks, such as candy bars and cookies on a regular basis, and believes this is perfectly normal. What can I do to help him understand that this isn’t a good thing? I worry constantly and I can’t take the heartbreak of more frequent insulin reactions.
Answer:
Someone who has had diabetes since the age of 3 certainly knows the ropes of blood sugar control by 21 — unless he had inadequate medical care and/or neglectful parenting.
I would really need to know more in order to respond fairly:
Could he be manipulating you with his behavior?
Could he be passively suicidal?
Could he be generally reckless?
So many things are not clear to me from your post. The one thing I can tell you without a doubt is that you cannot manage his diabetes.
CMB
