Teens with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Taking Charge of Your Health

One of the biggest challenges anyone will ever face is the transition from childhood to adulthood. Our teen years are a time of extreme excitement, and yet simultaneously, a period fraught with the trials of puberty, increased responsibility and eventually independence. For those affected by CAH there is the added challenge of transitioning to self-care.

The idea of being wholly responsible for remembering your medications, setting up your doctor appointments, speaking with health care professionals (and others) about your condition, and making decisions about your health care may seem daunting at first. With a little preparation and planning on your part, however, this can be an amazing and very rewarding experience as you begin to take control of your life and health care.

As a first step, please take a few minutes to read through the pamphlet at right, Since You’re Not a Kid Anymore, It’s Time to be More in Charge of Your Health, which presents some ideas and suggestions as to how to manage your transition to self-care from the perspective of teens with a variety of health care needs and managing your health care needs in middle school and beyond.

Connect – Be sure to check out our Teens/Young Adults Secret Support Group on Facebook! If you’d like to join, contact karenf@caresfoundation.org

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