Type 1 Possible PTSD in mothers of Children with Type 1

[Anxiousmom]

I'm wondering if it is possible to have PTSD after having experienced many life threatening/near death situations with a teen that has pretty much badly controlled T1D for over 7 years?

 

[azure]

I'm wondering if it is possible to have PTSD after having experienced many life threatening/near death situations with a teen that has pretty much badly controlled T1D for over 7 years?

I'm sure it must be @Anxiousmom

Are you able to tell us a little more?

 

[azure]

Would you like me to move your post to the Parents section @Anxiousmom ?

 

[zand]

I have never been in your situation but I would say Yes it's entirely possible. You deal with things as they are happening and don't always have time to process them properly. The shock and upset seals it all in, and it becomes upset upon upset, grief upon grief - very many layers of both. Maybe counselling would help?

 

[Anxiousmom]

Zand, I'm glad you havent. My teenager seems to be on self destruct and has gotten into a state of ketoacidosis many times requiring hospitalization in ICU for a week st a yes. We have tried everything from therapy, dietitians, discipline, threatening, motivating, bribery, reverse psychology but nothing gets through to her (it's like she is in denial that it's this serious because as soon as she regains her health is back to her old bad habits) . It's like she is self harming for lack of a better word. Even her Endo specialist said she has never seen a patient she hasn't been able to get through...until she met my daughter. She is an only child, defiant at the best of times and moody the rest of the time. I know this illness has a massive negative impact on her life but what frustrates me is that it really is not that difficult to manage i.e., test your blood often, take your insulin when required and don't eat so much ****. Seeing my daughter act like a sugar addict and ending up at deaths door so many times is killing me slowly inside. I pray that I die before she does.

 

[zand]

I feel for you. I really do. Teenagers are difficult beings at the best of times and have a tendency to rebel against anything they can find to rebel against. It seems she is even rebelling against herself. She just wants to be like everyone else. If only she could realise that the better she takes care of her diabetes, the better she will be able to live a normal life and be almost like everyone else. You are right when you say 'sugar addict', sugar is very addictive. So frustrating for you as a Mum. Sorry, I don't have any words of wisdom for you, just a lot of hugs and respect for you. I hope and pray that your daughter sees sense soon.
x

 

[Robinredbreast]

Zand, I'm glad you havent. My teenager seems to be on self destruct and has gotten into a state of ketoacidosis many times requiring hospitalization in ICU for a week st a yes. We have tried everything from therapy, dietitians, discipline, threatening, motivating, bribery, reverse psychology but nothing gets through to her (it's like she is in denial that it's this serious because as soon as she regains her health is back to her old bad habits) . It's like she is self harming for lack of a better word. Even her Endo specialist said she has never seen a patient she hasn't been able to get through...until she met my daughter. She is an only child, defiant at the best of times and moody the rest of the time. I know this illness has a massive negative impact on her life but what frustrates me is that it really is not that difficult to manage i.e., test your blood often, take your insulin when required and don't eat so much ****. Seeing my daughter act like a sugar addict and ending up at deaths door so many times is killing me slowly inside. I pray that I die before she does.

Hi, here are a couple of links that could be helpful.
http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/teens-with-diabetes
https://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/b...ll-being/how-denial-impacted-my-life-diabetic

I really feel for you, as parents we feel our children's emotions, especially the hurt, their anguish and their pain, sending a virtual hug to you (((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))) x

 

[Robinredbreast]

Zand, I'm glad you havent. My teenager seems to be on self destruct and has gotten into a state of ketoacidosis many times requiring hospitalization in ICU for a week st a yes. We have tried everything from therapy, dietitians, discipline, threatening, motivating, bribery, reverse psychology but nothing gets through to her (it's like she is in denial that it's this serious because as soon as she regains her health is back to her old bad habits) . It's like she is self harming for lack of a better word. Even her Endo specialist said she has never seen a patient she hasn't been able to get through...until she met my daughter. She is an only child, defiant at the best of times and moody the rest of the time. I know this illness has a massive negative impact on her life but what frustrates me is that it really is not that difficult to manage i.e., test your blood often, take your insulin when required and don't eat so much ****. Seeing my daughter act like a sugar addict and ending up at deaths door so many times is killing me slowly inside. I pray that I die before she does.

My friends teenage boy is type 1, since he was 4 and now he doesn't take his Insulin to school, he eats what he wants, but then get's back later after school and injects a a larger amount to cover the day's diabetes food. She found this out recently and says she is washing her hands of it all, he has always been difficult, no father figure around either. She says ?? she is just going to jet him get on with it, as questioning him and saying : have you taken your Insulin, does no good whatsoever. Most teens just want to be 'normal' like their friends and not think about diabetes, the Injections, what to eat, constant testing, hormones, stress, exams, adjusting for exercise and even for 'slobbing about'. He is 15 now and burying his head in the sand, but one day he may well sink into that sand and it will consume him...............

 

[azure]

Zand, I'm glad you havent. My teenager seems to be on self destruct and has gotten into a state of ketoacidosis many times requiring hospitalization in ICU for a week st a yes. We have tried everything from therapy, dietitians, discipline, threatening, motivating, bribery, reverse psychology but nothing gets through to her (it's like she is in denial that it's this serious because as soon as she regains her health is back to her old bad habits) . It's like she is self harming for lack of a better word. Even her Endo specialist said she has never seen a patient she hasn't been able to get through...until she met my daughter. She is an only child, defiant at the best of times and moody the rest of the time. I know this illness has a massive negative impact on her life but what frustrates me is that it really is not that difficult to manage i.e., test your blood often, take your insulin when required and don't eat so much ****. Seeing my daughter act like a sugar addict and ending up at deaths door so many times is killing me slowly inside. I pray that I die before she does.

Has she ever explained why she's acting like that? Is it just ignoring the diabetes? Is it rebelling - ie she's not going to let the diabetes changer her lifestyle? Does she think it's pointless because she usually gets 'bad' test results? Does she have a form of Diabulimia or another eating issue? Does she think complications will be 30 years down the line when she'll be 'old'? Is she so angry at the diabetes that she acts out of an impulsive rage? Is she depressed? Is it some kind of misguided attention seeking?

You say she's defiant, but defying you and her Endo will hurt her, so it's like ignoring a warning not to walk through a minefield and thumbing your nose at those who warned you - just as you're about to step on a bomb inadvertently.

If you look through the Parent section, you'll see a number of threads from parents of teens who have similar problems.

it must be so upsetting and frustrating for you.

 

[Anxiousmom]

I have never been in your situation but I would say Yes it's entirely possible. You deal with things as they are happening and don't always have time to process them properly. The shock and upset seals it all in, and it becomes upset upon upset, grief upon grief - very many layers of both. Maybe counselling would help?

Ive been in therapy for years and on 4 typez of anti depressants, even had a break down at work and it was suggested i perhaps need to look taking a break from working so i resigned. Doesnt help i lost my brother to a drug overdose 5 years back and was held up and robbed at gunpoint in my office underground parking lot. My parents pretty much fell apart after my brothers passing and now my dad has 3rd stage Alzheimers? It just feels like its one major thing after another....if my daughter could see the light it really would be a huge weight lifted off my chest.

 

[zand]

...if my daughter could see the light it really would be a huge weight lifted off my chest.

Tell her this? Maybe she could do it for your sake? Sorry I really don't know what to say, just that I admire your strength in this awful situation. I hope you get a breakthrough soon, you need and deserve one. Keep talking, you do need to express this.

HUGS.

 

[Anxiousmom]

My friends teenage boy is type 1, since he was 4 and now he doesn't take his Insulin to school, he eats what he wants, but then get's back later after school and injects a a larger amount to cover the day's diabetes food. She found this out recently and says she is washing her hands of it all, he has always been difficult, no father figure around either. She says ?? she is just going to jet him get on with it, as questioning him and saying : have you taken your Insulin, does no good whatsoever. Most teens just want to be 'normal' like their friends and not think about diabetes, the Injections, what to eat, constant testing, hormones, stress, exams, adjusting for exercise and even for 'slobbing about'. He is 15 now and burying his head in the sand, but one day he may well sink into that sand and it will consume him...............

Sounds like they came from the same mould...alrhough she has two great father figures. (my 2nd husband of ten years also has type 1 and tries to guide her as he knows what the implications of bad control. I dread thw day she blames me cor any complications

My friends teenage boy is type 1, since he was 4 and now he doesn't take his Insulin to school, he eats what he wants, but then get's back later after school and injects a a larger amount to cover the day's diabetes food. She found this out recently and says she is washing her hands of it all, he has always been difficult, no father figure around either. She says ?? she is just going to jet him get on with it, as questioning him and saying : have you taken your Insulin, does no good whatsoever. Most teens just want to be 'normal' like their friends and not think about diabetes, the Injections, what to eat, constant testing, hormones, stress, exams, adjusting for exercise and even for 'slobbing about'. He is 15 now and burying his head in the sand, but one day he may well sink into that sand and it will consume him...............

 

[Anxiousmom]

My friends teenage boy is type 1, since he was 4 and now he doesn't take his Insulin to school, he eats what he wants, but then get's back later after school and injects a a larger amount to cover the day's diabetes food. She found this out recently and says she is washing her hands of it all, he has always been difficult, no father figure around either. She says ?? she is just going to jet him get on with it, as questioning him and saying : have you taken your Insulin, does no good whatsoever. Most teens just want to be 'normal' like their friends and not think about diabetes, the Injections, what to eat, constant testing, hormones, stress, exams, adjusting for exercise and even for 'slobbing about'. He is 15 now and burying his head in the sand, but one day he may well sink into that sand and it will consume him...............

Seems like they came from the same mould except she has two great dads (step dad is also type 1 and tries to guide her but she wants none of it) i just dread the day when she turnz around and asks why we didnt do more to help her if she ever ends up with the possible if not inevitable and awful complications.. when we tried our best

 

[Anxiousmom]

Has she ever explained why she's acting like that? Is it just ignoring the diabetes? Is it rebelling - ie she's not going to let the diabetes changer her lifestyle? Does she think it's pointless because she usually gets 'bad' test results? Does she have a form of Diabulimia or another eating issue? Does she think complications will be 30 years down the line when she'll be 'old'? Is she so angry at the diabetes that she acts out of an impulsive rage? Is she depressed? Is it some kind of misguided attention seeking?

You say she's defiant, but defying you and her Endo will hurt her, so it's like ignoring a warning not to walk through a minefield and thumbing your nose at those who warned you - just as you're about to step on a bomb inadvertently.

If you look through the Parent section, you'll see a number of threads from parents of teens who have similar problems.

it must be so upsetting and frustrating for you.

Yes, beyond frustrating... i can say she pretty much exhibits all of those traits. Her diabetes educator gave up on her after seeing her for a few years saying the sessions were futile

 

[Anxiousmom]

Tell her this? Maybe she could do it for your sake? Sorry I really don't know what to say, just that I admire your strength in this awful situation. I hope you get a breakthrough soon, you need and deserve one. Keep talking, you do need to express this.

HUGS.

Thank you for the kind words. She is such a funny, outgoing and beautiful girl with the whole world and many boys at her feet

 

[azure]

Yes, beyond frustrating... i can say she pretty much exhibits all of those traits. Her diabetes educator gave up on her after seeing her for a few years saying the sessions were futile

Hmmm, that must be hard. I know it looks like she's purposely rejecting all help - and maybe she really is - but maybe she's scared and this is her way of showing that. Like a cornered animal someone's trying to help will snarl and snap at its saviour.

Has she seen a psychologist? (I hope that's ok to ask)

Does she genuinely understand what she's doing to herself?

Do you think she's using it as a control/power thing to get at your and others authority?

Has she got any friends who could speak to her, or a trusted relative who's not 'one of the enemy'?

I expect you've tried all those things, but I'm trying to think what might help. I guess she knows there's nothing you can do. Is there any person she cares about romantically? Any dreams she has - travel, children, career - that might motivate her?

You asked about PTSD - I can understand why. It must be unbearable to watch : (