Psycho-social aspects of children and adolescents with diabetes.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, a life-long disease with many possible complications, has a dramatic impact upon the entire family, precipitating a state of "shock". The psychological problems in diabetes should be divided in 3 periods: at diagnosis (other diseases or tension existing in the family and not related to diabetes, socio-economic state); initial adaptation period (acceptance to be "different", adjustment to rules of control such as daily injection of insulin, self blood glucose monitoring or urine testing, changing of nutritional habits, etc.), and long term coping (self-image, family dynamics, social activities, school achievements, vocational rehabilitation and continuing compliance. Counselling of the psychological problems is an ongoing need and is best delivered when the treating team included psychologists and social workers.

Definition and classification of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a state of absolute or relative insulin deficiency leading to hyperglycemia and profound changes in the body lipids and proteins. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of diabetes distinguishes between: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and malnutrition related diabetes mellitus (MRDM). In childhood the overwhelming majority is due to an autoimmune betacell disease leading to IDDM.