The more you know, the more you can help yourself.
In addition to physical changes, it is normal for diabetes to also cause greater emotional tension and intense feelings.
Knowing that you have diabetes can make you worried, sad, or angry. These are understandable feelings, of course, but they can be used to your advantage!
Think, for example, of anger as a source of energy. Choose to use it to do something positive for your health, like exercise.
But what if you still feel like “this can’t be happening to me”? Or that “there was an error”, this means that you are probably in denial, a form of reaction when something overwhelming and unexpected happens.
Start making the adjustment as best as you can and with the help of your doctor and the support of family and friends you will start to get used to keeping track of your blood sugar tests, medications, doctor appointments, diet and exercise.
We can all be sad from time to time, but depression is about so much more than feeling sad.
Depression can take away all energy and hope. In addition, we know that people with diabetes are at twice the risk of comorbid depression compared to healthy controls.1
Either way, depression can be hard to spot and can wreak havoc on your self-care.
If you have at least three of these symptoms — or are feeling depressed and have had one or more symptoms for more than 2 weeks — you may be depressed and should see your doctor right away. 3
Acting fast can be a point in favour of a faster recovery.
The constant need to manage diabetes can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you have many other responsibilities in your life. Sometimes you may feel like you need a vacation. So-called “diabetes angst” as the name implies, is more than just worry. It’s the toll diabetes takes on your mental health: a mix of anxiety, frustration, depression, stress and more.
If sadness turns into depression or stress turns into anxiety, you should seek help. Talk to your doctor or therapist about how you are feeling. There’s no shame in needing help to manage your emotions. In addition, there are some practical measures that can help improve your well-being.
Exercise reduces depression, anxiety and stress. The practice of pilates, yoga, gym or a simple walk-in nature can help more than you think.
Create a nightly routine and go to bed at the same time every day. You will see that everything will be easier after a good night's sleep.
Nobody is perfect and if you make a mistake, take it easy.
Find healthy ways to treat yourself so it doesn’t feel like work all the time. Reward yourself when you reach goals.
Negative emotions get more intense when you feel alone. See family and friends regularly and often. Talk to them frankly about your feelings and experiences and offer ways to help.
From deep breathing to meditation, try new ways to stay calm.
1. Kalra, Sanjay et al. “Emotional and Psychological Needs of People with Diabetes.” Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism vol. 22,5 (2018): 696-704. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_579_17.
2. ADA, Understanding diabetes and mental Health. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/mental-health. Accessed June 2022.
3. WebMD, Tips for Better Emotional Health With Diabetes, Available at: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-guide/diabetes-emotional-mental-health#1. Accessed June 2022.
