Diabetes affects not only the physical but also the mental state. For those who have been diagnosed with this, it is important to be aware of the mental aspects of their own illness, and for their loved ones to know how to maintain the correct psychological attitude in the patient.
Diabetes is a widespread disease, but discussions tend to focus only on the physical harm to the body, as well as the increase in the number of diseases among children and adolescents. However, diabetes has other serious consequences that must be considered. The successful course of treatment often depends on how a person tolerates the disease psychologically. Ian McDaniel, author of publications on mental and physical health, proposes to dwell on this topic.
It turns out that many people with this diagnosis are not even aware of the impact diabetes has on their mind and body. Traditional advice: watch your weight, eat healthy, give yourself more exercise – of course, can protect against a progressive deterioration in the health of the whole body. However, what works for one person may not work at all for another.
Without taking into account the psychological component, the best exercise plans and a perfectly thought out menu can be useless, especially if a person has other comorbidities. Blood glucose levels rise as a result of stress and other physical problems. Depression, anxiety and other conditions also make it difficult to control the development of diabetes.
Life on Mars
To a certain extent, we are influenced by the stereotypes instilled in us and the cultural characteristics of those around us, recalls McDaniel. In other words, eating habits and the comfort we seek from food have long and firmly entered our lives.
Telling a patient with persistently high sugar levels that he should change his habits can make him feel threatened by his comfortable existence, especially if he has to watch others continue to eat what he likes in front of him. Alas, it is not often that people around are supportive of a person who is struggling with diabetes, and take into account his changed needs.
If progress is slow or up and down, frustration and depression can result.
We are constantly surrounded by temptations. Foods high in carbohydrates and sugar are literally everywhere. It tastes good, increases serotonin levels, and is usually inexpensive and readily available. Most of the usual snacks fall into this category. With reason, a diabetic can understand why these products are dangerous for him. However, the demands to resist advertising, ingenious display of goods, offers of waiters and holiday traditions are tantamount to an offer to leave their home planet and move to Mars. Changing the way of life may seem to the patient about the same radical.
The problems to be solved at times seem insurmountable. Obesity, the environment, economic factors, and eating healthy are obstacles that must be overcome on a daily basis. In addition, there will be many psychological battles with the task of losing weight in this long war. If progress is slow or up and down, frustration and depression can be the result.
Diabetic stress
Due to physical problems, diabetes can affect a person’s mood, causing rapid and severe changes. These changes brought about by living with diabetes can affect relationships, as well as complications, nervousness, and anxiety. Added to this is the deterioration of thought processes and other symptoms caused by high or low blood sugar levels.
Many Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize the mind-body connection and recommend being active, doing relaxation exercises, connecting with an understanding friend, taking breaks to do something for fun, eating right, limiting alcohol, but also regular visit an endocrinologist and a psychologist.
A condition known as ‘diabetic stress’ resembles depression
Those who take insulin, wear an insulin pump, or use continuous glucose monitoring equipment have more difficult problems to deal with in their daily lives, but all diabetics need to monitor their glucose levels throughout the day.
Testing, using meters and related supplies, finding places to test, and even taking care of work and insurance are just some of the issues that can disturb and deprive diabetics of sleep. And this, in turn, can have an undesirable effect on blood glucose levels.
It is easy to understand that under such conditions the head can go around from problems and stress. The condition, known as “diabetic stress,” has symptoms similar to depression or anxiety, but cannot be effectively treated with appropriate medications.
Conscious care
Experts recommend that people in this state set small and feasible goals and pay special attention to their mental and physical health. Help in the form of diabetic support groups can be a great way to get good results along the way. To do this, you should contact a specialist – perhaps a psychotherapist or psychiatrist will tell you where to find such a format of communication.
Physical exercise, especially walking and swimming, drinking enough water, eating healthy, taking your medications on time, and regular mind-calming practices can all help, writes Ian McDaniel. Finding ways to manage difficult emotions and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression is essential to successful diabetes management. As in many other cases, a conscious and attentive approach to self-care is required here.
About the author: Ian McDaniel is a mental and physical health writer and blogger for the Suicide Relief Alliance.