Question:
From Kansas City, Missouri, USA:
I work with a 15 year old male, diagnosed at age 4mmonly encountered in relation to the disease, and what resources are available to assist a Mental Health professional with this type of client? Thanks.
Answer:
By far the commonest mental health disorder that you are likely to
encounter in a teen age diabetic boy is depression, a condition that is
probably much underdiagnosed. Mood disorders and anxiety states can also
be encountered. In looking at community resources that could help a first
choice might be the medical social worker or the clinical psychologist
who are part of the nearest children's diabetes care team. Equivalent
personnel in a Children's Hospital would also have experience with the age
group if not necessarily with the diabetes too. The prognosis for these
problems is optimistic in the great majority of cases, which can be
resolved without protracted treatment or chemotherapy. In a small number
of cases you may have to have recourse to a psychiatrist and again it needs
to be someone withse to a psychiatrist and again it needs
to be someone with confidence and experience with the age group.
DO'B
Original posting 3 May 97
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