Counselling / Therapy

[NikkiT1D]

Hi there,
I'm a parent to a 15 year old with T1D. Has anyone had any counselling or therapy to help with coping with the stresses of living with this condition? She's struggling.

 

[Lamont D]

If she has a medical team responsible for helping her with regards to how to treat her. They should be able to advise on counselling in your local area.
There are other counselling organisations, I was happy to get my GP to arrange through first age uk, then mind.co.uk! With their help, I feel so much more confident, my depression has gone, but still have some anxiety.
I have a rare condition that took time to get my head around it all but we can be so resilient. And if it explained to her and understand what is happening, I am sure with the right support, she will be able to overcome this.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi there,
I'm a parent to a 15 year old with T1D. Has anyone had any counselling or therapy to help with coping with the stresses of living with this condition? She's struggling.

Hi, how long has your daughter been diagnosed.?

I was diagnosed on my 8th birthday. I picked up on my mum's anxiety at an early age & felt wrongly like I may have well "stolen a car?" (Family dynamics suddenly changed on diagnosis.)
By 15, mum leveled with me & told me she felt guilty for bringing this onto me as her son..

Now this was a revelation. I always knew It's not her fault.
A misunderstanding due to circumstances & hormones were put straight by my simple reply, "sheds happen." (To paraphrase in accordance with the forum rules on swearing.)

 

[NikkiT1D]

Hi, how long has your daughter been diagnosed.?

I was diagnosed on my 8th birthday. I picked up on my mum's anxiety at an early age & felt wrongly like I may have well "stolen a car?" (Family dynamics suddenly changed on diagnosis.)
By 15, mum leveled with me & told me she felt guilty for bringing this onto me as her son..

Now this was a revelation. I always knew It's not her fault.
A misunderstanding due to circumstances & hormones were put straight by my simple reply, "sheds happen." (To paraphrase in accordance with the forum rules on swearing.)

Diagnosed 3 years ago this month. Coincides with all the hormone changes too, so it's difficult to work out if it's the diabetes or just this stage of life. Probably both.

 

[Fenn]

Hi, I am currently seeing a pyschologist specialising in diabetes, I was referred by diabetes consultant, I was dead against seeing her, and generally against the whole idea of therapy, never been so wrong about anything, life changing. Ask your doctor.

 

[Jaylee]

Diagnosed 3 years ago this month. Coincides with all the hormone changes too, so it's difficult to work out if it's the diabetes or just this stage of life. Probably both.

I was diagnosed in an era where there was no such thing as diabetes counselling. Let’s just say, my appointments involve being weighed, measured & judged… (there was a stigma back then to seeing anyone in the psychiatry field?)


What I notice now is DSNs seem far more empathic asking about my feelings walking through the door at appointments? (My endo is like a mechanic.)
Your daughter could get a referral. The first positive step forward, could be a joint enquiry with you & your daughter’s agreement?

I wish you & the kid all the best.

 

[NikkiT1D]

Hi, I am currently seeing a pyschologist specialising in diabetes, I was referred by diabetes consultant, I was dead against seeing her, and generally against the whole idea of therapy, never been so wrong about anything, life changing. Ask your doctor.

That's great. Our clinic has been without an on site psychologist, but there is one to be posted very soon - we will definitely be making use of that service as soon as we can. Thank you for your reply.