[Psychological care for diabetic children, adolescents and their parents (author's transl)]

A model of the psychological care for diabetic children, adolescents and their parents is presented. The model was developed from experiences gained in an out-patient clinic for diabetic children, based on individual, family and group discussions. It proved necessary to start psychological care immediately after the manifestation of diabetes. The psychological problems of diabetic children and adolescents as well as their parents vary with age. This calls for a grouping according to the age of the individual patient. The aim of the psychological care is to help the patients and their parents to accept the fact of diabetes, and to allow a more conflict-free adjustment to the new budren involved. A further aim is to prevent the development of neurosis. The clinical manifestation of neurosis in diabetic children and adolescents is characterized by symptoms specific to diabetes.