Question from Santiago, Chile:

I’m 21 years old and I’ve had diabetes since age seven. I really can’t remember taking care of my condition, ever. Half my income goes toward products with a high sugar content and my complications are starting to show. I am a very intelligent person but, somehow, I never seem to realize or care about throwing enormous amounts of sugar into myself every day. I have been in therapy about three times, but quit all three because I had the incessant feeling that I knew everything the therapists told me (I normally analyze my daily life situations and would frequently come up with the same deductions as my therapists).

I have suffered from anxiety attacks ever since I was a child and, even though I realize that the damage that a whole pack of Twix bars I eat does to me, I find myself eating another pack a while later and by the time I realize the damage done, it’s already done (there goes another Twix bar). A couple of years ago, I tried talking to my parents, but my mom reacted as if all hope were lost and I should enjoy my life while it lasts. My dad started raving about me being a grown-up and that any change in my diet should come from the inside and not with the use of pills or external help.(I love my dad and I know he loves me back, but he’s got the mentality of a five year old when it comes to dealing with other peoples problems or anything that escapes his line of thought for that matter).

I really don’t know how to stop. I’ve tried real hard but, I’ve got very advanced kidney complications. I know I’ve got to do a 180 degree turn and am hoping for you to give me any advice on what to do. Are there any pills to help me with my anxiety? The anxiety is what causes me to eat all that I do. Or, is there a diet/exercise plan to follow? I’m very smart, but normally lack the initiative to plan and do something on my own.