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/ Back to home / Conditions, tests & treatments A-Z / Diabetes / Diabetes: Emotional and mental wellbeing concerns
Diabetes: Emotional and mental wellbeing concernsDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. When should I seek help if I have concerns about a young person with diabetes?As a general rule you should seek help when:
If you are concerned that your child or young person’s behaviour is placing them or others at serious risk, seek help from your GP (general practitioner) immediately.
Behaviour includes what the child or young person says or does in:
Mood includes how the child or young person is feeling (for example, hopeless) as well as their obvious mood (for example, happy, angry, sad).
 Back to TopWho can I talk to about my concerns?If you are concerned, it can be useful to check with others close to the child or young person (such as other family members, form teacher at school) to see if they have noticed a change or are concerned.
Your GP (general practitioner) is the best person to see, in the first instance, if you have concerns about your child or young person. You could also contact your local diabetes team.
Back to TopWhat are some of the conditions that can affect young people with diabetes?Depression, anxiety and eating disorders are some of the conditions that can affect a child or young person with diabetes. More specific information on these is provided below.
Back to TopDepressionDepression is more than feeling unhappy or sad for a short time. Depression, in a clinical sense, refers to having a depressed mood plus a noticeable loss of interest in most things that used to give interest or pleasure for most of the day, nearly every day. It is important to note that for adolescents (and some children) a depressed mood can show as irritability (grumpiness, hopelessness) rather than being sad or down. A depressed young person may still show some interest in one activity or area they have previously enjoyed but overall there is a marked change in what interests them or brings them enjoyment or pleasure. Depression is not uncommon in young people with diabetes.
In children, depression is more likely to show in changes in their behaviour than in how they describe their mood. A previously bright, well-behaved child may become quiet and withdrawn or they may become angry and disobedient – it is the change in their usual behaviour that is important to notice.
Other signs of clinical depression are:
Back to TopWhat should I do if I think my child may be depressed?If your child or young person is talking about suicide, death, life being hopeless or pointless, make an urgent appointment with your GP (general practitioner).
Your GP is the best person to see, in the first instance, if you have concerns about your child or young person, or you could contact your local diabetes team.
Back to TopAnxietyWe all feel anxious at times – this can be a normal response to stressful, new, dangerous or difficult situations. Anxiety generally refers to feelings of emotional discomfort or uneasiness and fear. Anxiety becomes a problem when:
It may be useful to ask:
Back to TopSigns of anxietyPhysical signs:
Psychological signs:
Behavioural signs:
Back to TopAnxiety disordersThere are a number of specific anxiety disorders including:
Back to TopHow common are anxiety disorders in young people with diabetes?Anxiety disorders are common. They are especially common in children and young people with diabetes and can interfere with management and treatment. A child / young person’s anxiety can affect the whole family and they can get into patterns of behaviour (for example, avoiding certain situations) that are meant to help the child / young person but may actually make things worse. There a number of interventions that can help the child / young person and their family to manage the anxiety.
Back to TopWhat should I do if I think my child may have an anxiety disorder?Because some medical conditions can cause behaviours similar to those for anxiety disorders it is important to see a doctor if you have concerns.
Your GP (general practitioner) is the best person to see, in the first instance, if you have concerns about your child or young person, or you could contact your local diabetes team.
Back to TopEating disordersSome of the symptoms of an eating disorder are:
Unfortunately, they are not uncommon in our society and large numbers of young people, both male and female, are dissatisfied with their weight. While eating disorders are more common in females, males can also be affected.
Eating disorders can start with dieting and some increase in exercise then typically this increases and the young person feels less and less in control of these behaviours. Even when the young person is very unwell physically, they may deny any problems and continue to appear full of energy. They may become angry with anyone who suggests there is a problem, tries to limit their exercise, or to encourage them to eat more.
Because young people with diabetes pay close attention to their diet and weight, they may be more at risk for eating disorders.
Back to TopTypes of eating disordersAnorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders. People diagnosed with an eating disorder will often have had both these forms of eating behaviour. Key features in both are:
Back to TopWhat should I do if I think my child may have an eating disorder?Your GP (general practitioner) is the best person to see, in the first instance, if you have concerns about your child or young person, or you could contact your local diabetes team.
Back to TopExtra information about anorexiaThe key feature is deliberate weight loss (or failure to gain weight in developing children and young people). This occurs through dieting, particularly avoidance of high fat and high calorie foods, and through frequent, often excessive exercise.
Signs of anorexia:
Back to TopExtra information about bulimiaThe key feature is a pattern of dieting, binge eating and purging. Bingeing or binge eating means eating very large quantities of food in a short time and feeling out of control of this behaviour. Usually this is done in secret and the person may feel ashamed of this behaviour. Their consequent worry about gaining weight leads to purging, or getting rid of the food they have eaten before it is digested, by self-induced vomiting and / or laxative misuse.
Signs of bulimia:
Back to TopTreatment for anorexia and bulimiaAnorexia and bulimia are medically serious conditions and medical care is an essential part of treatment, along with psychological therapy. A young person with an eating disorder can have a significant impact on the family so work with the parents and family is also a key part of any treatment.
Your GP (general practitioner) is the best person to see, in the first instance, if you have concerns about your child or young person, or you could contact your local diabetes team.
Back to TopAcknowledgementsFact sheet produced in collaboration with the Starship Diabetes Service.
 Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 14/08/2009
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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