Dear Counsellor:

I have diabetes mellitus and my two children are very concerned about my health. The youngest said to me, "Don't die on me, Mom." How can I help them to cope with my health problems?

- Maria

Dear Maria:

Diabetes mellitus runs in families and it is possible that your children will get it. As you have observed, the children are concerned about your health and their health. You need to involve your entire family in the management of your disease. Prevention of illnesses in your children, as well as prevention of complications in your life, are important.

Have a regular family meeting, as well as individual meetings with each of your children. What you will tell them will depend on their ages. Teach them about the basic management of your disease and the role they can play.

Everyone should be on a low-salt, low-fat diet. Speak to a dietitian about the dietary requirements of your children. It means that whenever you or your children are cooking, the meal should be nutritious and safe. Teach them to boil, steam or roast their meat and cook with as little oil as possible. Steam vegetables and drink diluted fruit juices. Drink plenty of water daily. Let the children have a nutritious breakfast and a healthy lunch at school.

Chores around the house are beneficial. Let the children wash dishes, clean the house, wash clothes and iron clothes.

A healthy lifestyle starts in childhood. Children observe what you do and will follow suit in adulthood. You need a spiritual base.

Teach your children about a loving God who will show mercy and give His grace. Children need to feel loved and appreciated. They need to feel that someone cares and that God will shower them with His blessings. Children internalise the words and action of their parents. Loss of a parent in childhood is a major disaster.

Keep your children close, hug them often and journey together through this life.

Permanently ill

Dear Counsellor:

My nephew has schizophrenia and since its onset his personality has changed. He is withdrawn and stays by himself. He talks and laugh to himself. Is there help for him?

- Aunt

Dear Aunt:

Schizophrenia is a medical illness that affects up to one per cent of the general population. Some individuals have residual symptoms, while others need higher dosages of medication. Some will remain unwell while the symptoms will be controlled in others.

The theory is that there is a genetic vulnerability which predisposes the individual to developing schizophrenia. We all have difficulty coping with life stressors but some individuals cannot withstand the stressors.

Your nephew should be reviewed with an aim to either change the medication or increase dosage. Nowadays there are a variety of new drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Your family needs to be educated about schizophrenia so that your nephew can receive the best care. Education about schizophrenia is very important, as patients and relatives find it difficult to cope.

Sometimes individuals are placed in nursing homes for medical treatment to be supervised. At these homes, the patients get involved in doing chores and skill-based activities. Some patients need to be hospitalised to allow them to recover.

Therefore, take your nephew to be assessed by a psychiatrist.

Email questions about personal or family issues to Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson at yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.