The interface of child mental health and juvenile diabetes mellitus

Sandra L Fritsch; Mark W Overton; Douglas R Robbins

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2011.06.008

The interface of child mental health and juvenile diabetes mellitus

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2011 Aug;58(4):937-54, xi. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2011.06.008.

Authors

Sandra L Fritsch¹, Mark W Overton, Douglas R Robbins

Affiliation

¹ Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102, USA. fritss@mmc.org

PMID: 21855715
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2011.06.008

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a common childhood illness, and its management is often complicated by mental health challenges. Psychiatric comorbidities are common, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. The illness can profoundly affect the developing brain and family functioning and have lifelong consequences. The child mental health provider can provide valuable assistance to support the child and family and assessment and treatment of comorbid mental health problems and to promote positive family functioning and normal developmental progress.