Do you ever worry about managing your growth hormone (GH) treatment? If your self-esteem is sometimes low, then you’re not alone.¹ Some young people taking GH treatment say that they worry about whether they’re ready to take their own treatment. Whereas some young people face acceptance problems, thinking about what their friends might think of them.¹

Finding Strength in Looking Back
 

If you have concerns, it can help to look back on the past to see previous successes and feel the confidence that the same can happen in the future.² The following questions may help you think about these things.

You may find it useful to take some notes on your answers to the following questions:

• What do you think you’ve been doing well?

• What achievements are you proud of?

• What steps, if any, have you taken towards being more independent in your treatment?

• If you haven’t taken any steps yet, what are some you could try? (Your healthcare team and parents might be able to give you some suggestions.)

Looking Towards the Future
 

Is there anything you felt you could work on or do differently in the future?

Maybe you have some worries about what your friends think of your condition, or maybe you want to take more steps towards becoming more independent.

The following steps may help you move forward with some challenges you may be facing. This may be related to your treatment or condition or any other areas of your life.

1. What challenge are you struggling with?³
   For example, I want to tell my friends about my condition, but I’m worried about how they might react.

2. Write down some ideas that can help you overcome this challenge. If you’re stuck, maybe a friend or a family member can help.³ Sharing problems with someone you trust can help you feel better.
   For example, I could speak to someone about it, like an adult I trust.

3. Consider the pros and cons of each solution.³
   For example, pros include ideas on the best ways to tell your friends, and cons include having to tell someone that you feel nervous about this, which could be embarrassing.

4. Choose one solution that seems likely to work.

5. Set out a step-by-step plan on how to overcome this problem.³

   • What? When? How? Who?

   • What could potentially cause problems? How do you get around these?

   • Is it realistic/achievable?
     For example, I’ll ask my mum if I can sit down with her tonight and talk to her about this. If she doesn’t have time, I’ll ask her if we can talk tomorrow instead

References

1. Chaplin JE, Kriström B, Jonsson B, et al. Improvements in behaviour and self-esteem following growth hormone treatment in short prepubertal children. Horm Res Paediatr. 2011;75(4):291-303.

2. Hardcastle SJ, Fortier M, Blake N, Hagger MS. Identifying content-based and relational techniques to change behaviour in motivational interviewing. Health Psychol Rev. 2017;11(1):1-16.

3. Sage N, Sowden M, Chorlton E, Edeleanu A. CBT for Chronic Illness and Palliative Care: A Workbook and Toolkit. 1st ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2008.