How do you get your diabetic teen (age 19) to comply with testing and taking insulin?

As a former "rebel diabetic teen", I can say that riding your kid's butt about it will only serve to make sure it keeps getting worse, but also NOT talking about it is dangerous. Really, the angle of "attack" depends on the relationship you have with your kid. If you two can sit down and talk it out, do that. If you think that your kid would benefit better from talking to other kids who have it, look up some support websites and just leave the list. Talk with the doctors, see what they say. Perhaps a therapist, because, as has been mentioned before, depression practically goes hand in hand with diabetes, especially in the teen years. It really does bring it into focus when young people can see themselves in a bad situation, so try looking up some articles about people around that age with severe complications from diabetes. There are even books about it...2 really amazing ones are "Shira: A Legacy Of Courage" and "Journey Of A Diabetic". They really give you insight into the struggle of being a young person with diabetes...it wouldn't hurt for you to read those as well, just to better understand what your child could be going through.

I'm a parent now myself, and while thankfully, my children do not have diabetes, I'm not so far removed from the time when I would have done almost anything to make it disappear, to not feel like such a freak as the only diabetic in my circle of friends, to not take the shots or check my sugars and just eat Reese Cups all day...so, if you would be willing, and your kid is willing, I could talk to him/her about it, and the invitation to talk is open to you, too, for more information, an understanding ear, parent-to-parent, even if I could help you maybe find a better way of communicating, having come through the struggle myself and knowing what I wish my parents would have done. Good luck!!!!

1

I am writing to tell you what an incredible impact these methods had on my life! I have had type 2 diabetes for 27 years. For me, the worst part of this horrible disease is the severe pain I constantly get in my feet. The pain is so bad that I avoid standing and walking as much as possible. I've got to tell you that within the first month, my feet stopped hurting altogether and I can now walk totally pain free.

Believe it or not, I even danced at my niece's wedding last month, something I have not done in a many years. I've been following the book for six months now and my blood sugar is well within normal range. I feel great!

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

I've had diabetes since I was 5, Now I'm 14. Even my 6 year old sister is fine with testing, and we both have insulin pumps, which helps a lot. Tell him this, and to stop being a baby. Also, if he wants to talk about having diabetes, I would love to email with him (agentxthespy@yahoo.com).

With all the past pain and suffering , he hasn't seen anything yet. He best get on the ball. Maybe he is in depression. It's one of the untalked about complications of diabetes.Maybe a Shrink is in order. Recent studies have suggested that effective treatment of depression can improve diabetic control. In a study by Lustman and colleagues, glucose levels were shown to improve as depression lifted. The better the improvement, the better the diabetic control. (Lustman et al. 1997a)

Many newly diagnosed diabetics go through the typical stages of mourning. These are denial, anger, depression and acceptance.

Denial: This can be one of the more dangerous stages of the grief process. It may not occur only once. Many individuals cycle back to this phase several times. The honeymoon phase, associated with early Type I diabetes, may reinforce denial. Denial is a common stance for adolescent diabetics.

Anger: It really does seem unfair. The type II diabetic, trying to lose weight, may envy heavier people who seem to enjoy good health. One might erupt at someone who innocently offers a desert. Unfortunately, anger can drastically affect glucose levels.

Depression: Mild depressive feelings are a normal part of grieving and adaptation. As long as they are not pervasive or prolonged, they may not be harmful. However, when the depression lasts a long time, becomes severe or interferes with diabetic management, one should seek prompt treatment.

Acceptance: Individuals achieve different degrees of acceptance and inner peace. Some will need to experience the denial, anger and depression several times as they move through different phases of life and different stages of diabetes. Some people move through a chronic disease to a state of much greater self-knowledge. They may actually say that the diabetes was, in part, a blessing. Through their close attention to diet and exercise, and their close monitoring of stress levels, they have arrived at a deeper understanding of themselves and their relations to others. They realize that for all human beings, life is vulnerable and precious.

Often, individuals with depression do not realize that they are depressed. It is easy to attribute the symptoms of depression to the diabetes. This is particularly difficult since depressed diabetics may have poorer glucose control. Sometimes a spouse or close friend can give good feedback. However, medical professionals or mental health clinicians may be the best ones to determine what is the diabetes and what is due to depression. A psychiatrist has had medical training before specializing in mental health. He or she can sort out the diagnosis, communicate with your regular doctor and help coordinate the treatment of the depression with treatment of the diabetes.

Symptoms of Depression: These are based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, 4th Edition. (DSM-4)

Depressed mood for most of the day

Decreased pleasure in normal activities

Difficulty sleeping or significantly increased need to sleep

Weight loss or weight gain.

Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

Low energy level

Difficulty making decisions of concentrating

Suicidal thoughts

Treatment of Depression:

If he still don't comply , tell him to order his tombstone. Once he is out of depression his attitude will change. It's hard for all that is around this. I know nagging won't help. Maybe he will listen to a friend.

Tin

A better question would be, how do you get a teen to comply with anything an adult wants them to do. Unfortunately he may have to learn the hard way. Sometimes it takes a crisis to drive the need home to a young person.

has anybody sat him (generic gender for ease of answer "him/her") down & told him exactly what he has, what the appropriate treatment is supposed to accomplish, and what the results will be if he does not take care of himself? if not, now would be a good time to objectively educate him. if he does fully comprehend, then maybe he's just being rebellious about whether it will actually harm him to just let it go. having a chronic condition that will never go away can be really hard to live with. you treat it, you still have the condition. you don't treat it, you still have it (just worse). no matter what he does, this will look back at him when he sees a mirror. if he survives the rebellion without permanent complications, he may be more willing to follow directions. your teen needs to understand what's going on. once that is clear, you need to let him take control. maybe he'll surprise you.

He's 19. It's his responsibility Mom. back off and say nothing. He will have to suffer the consequences unless you plan to live with him forever.

find a friend who knows a diabetic who has had an amputation and let them talk to your kid and scare the piss out of him.

If it was me I would Call his Dr with out him knowing and express your concerns maybe he can beat into his head how important it is