March 4, 2003
Behavior, Community Resources
Question from Newfoundland, Canada:
My older sister (age 25) suffers from diabetes and is in horrible control. She has no complications yet but is fast on her way. My family is so distraught and helpless because she “doesn’t want to talk about it” — ever, and her hemoglobin A1c is 17%!
She has talked to doctors, dietitians, etc. with no avail. She is in denial and has been for many years. She tries for a while to gain control but slips back to her slacking very quickly. She is an adult so you can’t force her to do anything, but my family and I can’t sit back and pretend that she is not killing herself. She needs intense therapy directed especially at this problem. I am so worried about her and talking to her doctor is useless.
Is there a place that young people with diabetes can go to get help once and for all? Anywhere in the world will do. We can’t give up on her.
Answer:
It sounds like she needs help with both her diabetes and issues related to why she behaves the way she does. You would have to say that if she continues, she is really carrying out behavior that will hurt her. I would suggest you and your family confront her with the need for treatment. In addition, she needs a mental health professional, working with a diabetes expert, to address her diabetes in way that will turn things around. In terms of where to get this, I think you will have to start local and evaluate the resources. If one is not helpful, look at others. There is not one single institution that has all the expertise in this area.
JTL
