A phase in the psychotherapy of a juvenile onset diabetic patient

The psychotherapy of a juvenile onset diabetic patient, who initially presented with problems of poor diabetic management and depression, is discussed. Pertinent details of the first two years of treatment are presented to show the interrelationship between the medical and psychiatric problems. The patient severely mismanaged her illness around the tenth anniversary of her father's death. The patient's behavior and attitude toward her own illness were associated with guilt relating to the death of her father, also diabetic. During the anniversary period the patient was able to gain insight into the dynamics of her behavior, and from then on, succeeded in adequate management of her diabetes. The events in this case are linked to relevant literature.