Managing Diabetes: Is Your Mental Health in Check?
Managing diabetes could be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. This is why getting help for your psychological needs is vital.
Living with diabetes and managing it takes a lot of time and effort, that it can feel like full-time work-aside from real, paying work-every single day.
Most diabetes care guidelines are so focused on the condition’s medical aspects without addressing the individual’s mental and emotional needs.
However, while lots of individuals with diabetes go on to live full and healthy lives, some studies have found that in other individuals, mental and emotional support is lacking, which in turn results in reduced quality of life and wellbeing.
The Need To Obtain Professional Mental And Emotional Support
Due to the pervasiveness of these emotional and mental challenges, it could be difficult for some individuals to decide when they should seek professional help. In some cases, the answer is obviously right away.
Once you’ve been diagnosed, it’s best to seek help immediately so you can discuss your feelings towards your diagnosis, how it will impact your life, and learn some coping strategies right off the bat.
Additionally, if you decide to seek help right away, you will already have someone in mind when the time comes that you need to go to regular mental health checkups or therapy.
Otherwise, if you’re experiencing this anxiety and/or depression warning signs for more than two weeks, seek help asap:
- Skipping your medications or insulin;
- Resenting the routine tasks that come with diabetes management;
- Having increased anxiety over complications related to diabetes;
- Feeling hateful or hopelessness because of your condition;
- Under-eating, not eating, or binge eating;
- Sleeping or feeling fatigued during the day but can’t sleep at night;
- Frustrated with people around you that are just trying to help you out;
- Isolating yourself from your family and friends.
The Importance Of Getting The Right Mental And Emotional Support
If left unaddressed, your mental and emotional issues could eventually turn into a full-blown mental health disorder related to:
- Reduced metabolic outcomes;
- Poor self-care;
- Functional limitations;
- A significant decrease in quality of life;
- Increased healthcare expenses;
- And even increased mortality.
Likewise, because you become incapable of meeting these challenges or feel that complications are taking a significant toll on your mental and emotional health, your psychological state will become more and more compromised.
But when you’re ready to seek help, here’s what you need to do:
1. Seek Professional Help
Get help from a psychologist or therapist with ample experience in treating patients with diabetes.
You can check the ADA, American Diabetes Association’s list of professionals or consult with your diabetes management team in Provo for a recommendation.
2. Join A Support Group
Join a support group specifically for individuals who have diabetes so you won’t feel so alone in your journey.
3. Accept The Help From Others
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help. Learn to say “yes” to help from the people around you.
Remember that effective diabetes self-care is a vital step in realizing a satisfying and healthy life. But it will require a positive attitude and personal motivation.
Ultimately, learn when to seek help in whatever form when you really need it because your diabetes will never go away, so having more help is always better.
