Teenage years can be a challenging time for families, a period made even more difficult if a child has type 1 diabetes.
We spoke to Clinical Psychologist Registrar Dr Keely Bebbington, the Children’s Diabetes Centre’s McCusker Research Fellow in Type 1 Diabetes at The Kids Research Institute Australia, to get her tips on how to navigate this tricky period.
A balancing act
Dr Bebbington says the teen years present a new set of challenges for young people with diabetes as they juggle disease management with their new-found independence, desire to fit in, body image and temptations such as less healthy foods or alcohol.
“While teenagers without diabetes might challenge responsibility as a way to individuate themselves from parents, for the teen with diabetes, pushing the boundaries can have more serious consequences,” she says.
“The transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical time point in a person’s diabetes journey so we need to ensure that they have the right coping mechanisms to navigate this tricky time.”
It’s complicated
The teenage years are a particularly vulnerable time for young people with type 1 diabetes from a mental health perspective, Dr Bebbington says.
“Not only do stress and anxiety have a detrimental effect on quality of life and wellbeing, they are also associated with poor glycaemic control, which is a risk for long-term complications,” she says.
“We know that if you can provide intervention for poor mental health early, you can help prevent the development of serious mental health conditions and functional impairment into adulthood.
Establishing a good routine
Establishing good diabetes routines in pre-adolescent years can help an adolescent better navigate their teen years.
“Good diabetes management starts in childhood and results in much better health — mental and physical — in adulthood,” Dr Bebbington says.
Letting go of the reins
The teenage years can be a challenging and frustrating time for families as they relinquish some of the control of their child’s diabetes management.
“It’s vital for parents to keep engaged with their adolescent so that they feel comfortable having conversations about their diabetes management and mental health,” Dr Bebbington says.
“At the same time, it’s important to take a step back and gradually let your teen assume responsibility for their own diabetes management. Try to support their independence but let them know you are always there if they need help.
How research can help ease the burden
Children’s Diabetes Centre researchers are designing and implementing interventions aimed at supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people with type 1 diabetes.
“For instance, we are using a continuous glucose monitor and smartphone app to observe how glucose levels and emotions change moment-to-moment,” Dr Bebbington says.
“Additionally, we are exploring the risk and protective factors for mental health. This will help us to develop more effective interventions to improve mental health and diabetes-related health complications.
“We are also planning online psychological interventions, which are particularly useful for teens in rural and remote areas.”
Find out more about the Children’s Diabetes Centre’s mental health research.