October 28, 2001
Behavior
Question from California, USA:
Seven months ago, my 19 year old son became extremely depressed very shortly after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It comes one day and is gone the next. His sugar has been in tight control, and his doctor told him he is in a partial honeymoon phase, but he also told him that depression isn’t a problem during the honeymoon phase and that it usually only occurs when sugar levels are out of control. Could you please address why? Could there possibly be something he could do or change in medication that could help?
Answer:
Your son may feel very sad and overwhelmed with the diagnosis of diabetes. That does not mean that he is depressed because of some physiological problem with the diabetes itself, but because he is struggling with the diagnosis of a chronic illness that is very demanding and requires a lot of work.
Your son should find a therapist with expertise in working with people with chronic illness. His diabetes team and/or his internist should be able to recommend someone in your community. Your local American Diabetes Association may also be helpful in giving your son referrals.
JWB
