Mental health of adolescents with type I diabetes: A case report

Efterpi Marini, George Giannakopoulos, Stella Charitaki, Maria Belivanaki, Varvara Salavou, Magda Liakopoulou, Gerasimos Kolaitis

Department of Child Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece;.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.58172                

Abstract

Type I Diabetes Mellitus (DM I) is the third most common chronic childhood disease and can cause both short-term and long-term complications, as well as acute life-threatening events. The announcement of the DM I diagnosis in childhood or adolescence constitutes a major psychosocial stressor for the child and his family. Diabetes in general complicates the parent-child relationship and increases adolescents’ negative thoughts about themselves and depressive mood. The majority of patients experience depressive and/or anxiety symptoms at the time of diagnosis, which generally resolve within six to nine months. Poor adjustment in this initial phase places adolescents at risk for later psychosocial difficulties. On a long-term basis, individuals with DM I may exhibit significant psychiatric and behavioral problems including depression, anxiety and anger. We here reported the case of a 13-year-old boy, suffering from DM I for 3 years, who developed poor metabolic control, depressive symptoms and life-threatening behavior in the past 6 months and was hospitalized at an inpatient psychiatric unit. The complex biopsychosocial needs of adolescents with Type I Diabetes Mellitus should be recognized and addressed through tailored interventions by medical and mental health professionals.

Keywords

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1; Adolescence; Depression

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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