Understanding Diabetes Distress

Understanding Diabetes Distress

The powerful interplay of the mind and the body has been repeatedly proven time and over and is no more well pronounced than in the field of diabetes. Yet unfortunately, mental health aspects of diabetes care have largely been ignored and underrated. Living with diabetes brings about a host of unique challenges and thus accompanied by understandable emotional reactions to them. The impact of these diabetes-related emotional reactions needs to be carefully monitored and understood as they play a huge role in determining successful treatment outcomes.

The term diabetes distress encompasses various emotional reactions arising from numerous stressors such as given below:

• Emotional Distress – Ranging from anger, frustration and denial about the diagnosis and management. Fear about disease progression and possible complications.
• Regimen Distress – Arising from the need for relentless self-care in the form of regular glycaemic monitoring, diet plans and exercise.
• Financial and Interpersonal Relationship Distress – Arising due to the chronicity of managing the illness.

Studies conducted globally show that 1 in 5 people with Type 2 diabetes have increased levels of diabetes distress. It is crucial to identify signs of distress which may manifest in the following ways.

• Suboptimal glycaemic control.
• Reduced inclination to engage or stay consistent with diabetes self-care activities such as adherence to medications, or monitoring glycaemic levels as recommended by the physician.
• Missing out on doctor appointments.
• Engaging in maladaptive coping strategies such as emotional eating and alcohol abuse while dealing with life stressors.

Identifying and managing diabetes distress is essential as it may otherwise spiral into a continuum of diabetes burnout and clinical depression, adversely impacting treatment outcomes and quality of life. Symptoms of diabetes distress may fluctuate in intensity, increase during challenging times such as when a diagnosis is made, treatment regimens are changed, or when complications arise.

Thus, while managing diabetes, it is important to take charge of your mental health too.

• Be aware of your emotional reactions in every phase of your illness and management.
• Be vigilant of distress signals before they spiral out of control.
• Focus on what you can control and invest your emotional and physical energy wisely.
• Accept and prepare yourself for a journey that can be challenging and nourishing all at once.
• Incorporate the support of your trusted ones in your journey towards health.
• If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor without hesitation.
• And finally, don’t hesitate to seek professional psychological support if the distress is overwhelming.

Living with diabetes can indeed be a challenge but the challenge can be won by adopting the right attitude.