Ask Our Team
How do you handle a 20 yr old who is terrified of going low so she keeps her b.s. too high and is afraid to be independent? She was diagnosed at age 10 and has never had a severe low where she needed assistance. Everything she learned years ago is being ignored, it's as if she needs are-booting. Are there any programs for college students to address this issue?
Responses
Ginger Vieira says
This is a common problem, and as a Type 1 diabetic, I have to say I understand that fear! Hypos can be terrifying. I think the main aspect to focus on is not the blood sugars, but the fact that is afraid of losing control, afraid of having a low and feeling helpless. She needs help to dig deeper into not only understand the fear that's developed there, but also the full-spectrum of how she's now harming herself in a different way.As a cognitive health & diabetes coach, I would absolutely be able to work with your daughter in gradually decreasing her blood sugars and changing her diabetes management habits to help her address both the emotions and the fear of hypos, as well the blood sugar readings themselves. If you'd ever like to speak on the phone in a FREE consult, please e-mail me at Ginger@living-in-progress.com and feel free to visit my diabetes & coaching website at www.Living-in-Progress.com.
Gary Scheiner says
One of my colleagues in the psychology field has done research on this issue. It comes up quite often. He believes that it is a form of post-traumatic stress, and it can indeed get in the way of managing one's diabetes properly.The two things I can recommend are: 1) Work with a mental health counselor who understands diabetes well, and 2) Use a Continuous Glucose Monitor to provide early warnings when BGs are just beginning to head downwards. This may give your daughter the confidence to manage a bit more aggressively.
Alicia H. McAuliffe-Fogarty says
The Diabetes and Education Association holds terrific programs forcollege-age young adults which may help http://www.diabetescamps.orgprograms/show-all-events.html. Having your
daughter speak to her diabetes educator as well as a psychologist would be
helpful and important to her future health.
