I don'T Think one step should be taken out of the hospital when type 1 is found,without a psycologist being part of the health care team.Type 1 takes an emotional toll on the entire family,especially to the one who has it.I want to know if everyone else has this help as part of their health care team?Did our family miss out on this?
We were not seen by or referred to a psychologist before we left the hospital, but the dr and educator both recommended seeing one if we felt our son needed the help adjusting. Our regular ped endo has not brought it up.
It's been 1.5 months since diagnosis, and William has had some outbursts, crying, upset, etc. But, overall he seems to be adjusting very well. I, on the other hand, went through four weeks of intense depression before I started having a good day here and there. I've pulled out of it, thanks to the awesome support of friends. Professional help is something I'm keeping on the back burner in case I feel we need it.
Mo
thanks Moneque,The first endo appt.,anyone could see I was an emotional wreck.My daughter was fine,she just wanted to get out of there and shop,which we did.No help was mentioned for any of us.I know I am a grown person and should seek help when needed,but I am not the type who will.If help would have been there as part of the team,I know I would have gone for that,all of us would.My daughter is a much stronger person than me and did feel she needed to touch base with someone and did.But that help I think would be best coming from someone who deals with type 1 families. Thank you again !
I was diagnosed at 7 (16 years ago) and there was absolutely no mental health component to my healthcare team at that time. Not for me nor for my parents or my brother who was also effected by my diagnosis. Through my crazy teen years I did require counseling and medication, and currently my primary md monitors my psych meds. At this point I'm relatively stable (mentally) and I know where I can get help should I ever need it again.
I agree that managing diabtes takes a team of people. The diagnosed, parents, siblings, endo, nutritionist, educator, psychiatrist and/or psychologist. I also think that our endocrinologist's offices who see so many diabetics should be able to set up more local resources for suport groups. Having a place where you can interact (not just online...no offence, guys, I LOVE it here) with other people your own age and life stage to understand, experienced diabetics we can learn from, and newbies we can help mentor is a valuable part of being a diabetic.
When i was diagnosed there was a psychologist there. I've never needed to talk to her but she comes to almost every 3 month check up just in case. Its nice to know she's there if i need her. I'm from canada so i'm not sure if that maybe makes a difference or not.
It's so hard to find mental health professionals who are even slightly familiar w/ type 1. The Joslin Center in Boston has some, but I've found this to be a problem elsewhere. Anyone else have this problem? It's not helpful to meet with someone who has no idea what life w/ diabetes is!
Gina,When you found a professional to talk to,where they trained in d ? My daughter asked to talk to someone and they have been helpful-but I know unless someone really knows what life is dealing with type1--they may not can help to the fullest. Thanks .....oh and how long should they keep meeting a professional ?
Sarah,we are thinking along the same lines...I just brought this up again because of what Gina mentioned on the post--At Wit's end with teenage diabetic.
I was offered to see one when I was diagnosed, but i think i declined. My pediatric endo had one in their office too, so i was asked if i wanted to meet with them when I had my visits.
-Rosemary
it was over 20 years so it's hard for me to remember exactly, but i don't remember a psychologist being a part of our team. beginning in 2nd grade, i've seen different psychologists off and on. none of them really specialized in t1d, but i also don't feel that was a big part of my depression (though definitely a contributor). i will also admit, the psychs i saw never helped. partly because i was a really good liar and partly because i didn't even know what the problem was. i went to a treatment facility almost 4 years where i had intense outpatient therapy (4 days/week, 7 hours/day). for me, that's what i needed - combined group and individualized therapy, along with some very, very strong drugs :o) now, 4 years later, i feel very much on a different path. i needed a swift kick in the pants and a few ultimatums before i finally was able to help myself. i would always recommend having a therapist "on call" for newly (and oldly) diagnosed t1ds.
I never saw a psychologist either. I don't think a psychologist is really necessary unless there's some specific concerns that they can help address.
For instance, there are different types of psychologists. There are some that listen to general emotional difficulties and coping, others that can help with behaviorally increasing compliance with medications, some dealing with specific concerns related to serious and clinical depression, and some dealing with the school systems. It gets really complicated because counselors/psychologists/psychiatrists/social workers/general practitioners all mental health issues that come across in their line of work. The type of training and specialization is important, so you might get very different services depending on the person's specialty, orientation, and model of treatment.
i was diagnosed at age 3 {13 years ago} and i never had any mental health team members , i never even talked to anyone about how diabetes truley makes me feel until i was plased in a psyciatric center for talking about commiting suicide when i was in 8th grade. when i was younger i used to go to the hospital and talk to young kids and older adolesents about diabetes and just be their friend, it benefited everyone, my mom talked to their parents too. io wish i could have had something like that.
when i was diagnosed almost 9 years ago (age 8) the program at my endos office called for a meeting with a psychologist,nurse educator and nutritionist every 3 or so months. I never really talked to her because i was young and very quiet about my diabetes. my new drs office doesnt have it but i think it really helped my parents
Just after I was diagnosed I became really hostile and violent (ages 5-6 I think), and my parents sent me to a psychologist for that because they contributed whatever mental imbalance was going on to diabetes. It wasn't at all helpful for me and I developed a strong aversion to psychologists because I had no idea why I was being forced to see one and the psychologist obviously didn't understand diabetes. However, now I feel that if one were needed I would be willing to go. Try talking to your child before they see one, (if they need one), because otherwise it may backfire and even make the situation worse. They're a good outlet to have if you need mental support.
we did not have access to a psychologist, but there is a social worker on our diabetes education resource team and at diagnosis she did talk about the emotional impact of diabetes as well as helping us with different forms and stuff.
but we are in canada, so things may be different. our team also has endos, nurses and dietitians.
Meme,
I missed out on this and still suffering. It is so important to have a pyschologist be a part of a diabetes team. I don't know why it isn't enforced more at a diagnosis.