CBDCE CDCESCertified Diabetes Care and Education

Correct: A. Symptoms of depression and anxiety tend to emerge 1 to 2 years after the initial diagnosis

Why: Although many children show resilience immediately after diagnosis because of heightened family involvement and structured care routines, emotional symptoms frequently surface one to two years later. As the permanence of long-term management becomes more apparent, children face growing expectations for independent diabetes tasks and increased peer comparison, both of which can fuel distress and mood symptoms. Ongoing screening throughout childhood and adolescence is therefore recommended, not only at the time of diagnosis, because early identification supports timely intervention and improves both psychosocial well-being and glycemic outcomes. Depressive symptoms are reported more often in girls than in boys, particularly during adolescence, where hormonal shifts, social pressures, and body image concerns likely contribute to this disparity. Selecting the option suggesting equal rates is incorrect. Suggesting that adherence problems rarely appear before five years have passed is inaccurate. Self-management challenges frequently emerge during adolescence as family oversight decreases and responsibility shifts to the child, typically well before the five-year mark. While adherence problems do appear earlier than five years, the claim that they surface within the first three months is also incorrect. During the initial period after diagnosis, family engagement and support from the care team tend to promote consistency, so significant challenges usually arise later.