Take care of your mental health

In addition to physical changes, it is normal for diabetes to also cause greater emotional tension and intense feelings.

Get enough sleep

Learn more about diabetes and prediabetes

Effective diabetes self-management is critical

There’s no denying it. Evidence has already shown that diabetes and its complications are strongly associated with psychological and psychiatric problems. These can include depression, anxiety, stress, poor eating habits and fear of hypoglycemia. In addition, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are also at twice the risk of comorbid depression compared to healthy controls, impairing quality of life.¹

It’s therefore critical to identify and support people with psychosocial problems early in the course of diabetes, as this can affect their ability to adjust or take appropriate responsibility for self-care.¹ Effective diabetes self-management is a critical step towards achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. However, it requires personal motivation and behavior change.

Learn how to take care of your mental health and stay with our information and tips!

Dealing with the news can be difficult

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.

Typically, these feelings subside over time.
But to deal with this initial storm, you can:

Make a plan

With goals for things like healthy eating, exercise, and learning. A good plan puts you back in control.

Write a diary

This can help you organize your thoughts, vent and even recognize emotional triggers - recognizing patterns can be useful in the future to deal with what’s bothering you.

Seek help

Having a serious condition can make you feel isolated from the world. Go to family, friends or a support group and talk to them honestly about your feelings. A good therapist can also be helpful at this stage when you need to unlock and share your emotions.

Depression can happen to anyone

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.

That’s why it’s important to identify it and check for symptoms.

Take note if you feel²:

Loss of interest or pleasure

Change in sleep patterns

Waking up earlier than usual

Change in appetite

Concentration problems

Loss of energy

Nervousness

Fault

Morning sadness

Suicidal thinking

Withdrawal of friends and activities

Decline in school and professional performance

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.

Find a doctor

Diabetic burden

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.

Tips to better manage your emotions

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.

Take note!

Exercise often.

Exercise reduces depression, anxiety and stress. The practice of pilates, yoga, gym or a simple walk-in nature can help more than you think.

Sleep well.

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.

Stop blaming yourself.

Nobody is perfect and if you make a mistake, take it easy.

Reward yourself.

Find healthy ways to treat yourself so it doesn’t feel like work all the time. Reward yourself when you reach goals.

Don’t isolate yourself.

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.

Experience mindfulness.

From deep breathing to meditation, try new ways to stay calm.

Control your glucose levels

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Learn more about reducing my risk

Learn more about diabetes and prediabetes

The more you know, the more you can help yourself.

Get enough sleep

Sleep quality can be important for maintaining blood sugar levels.

Exercise daily

Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week.

Manage the weight

Weight loss is a fundamental step in the treatment of diabetes.

Eat healthier

Diets rich in whole grains may help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

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.
ADA, Understanding diabetes and mental Health. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/mental-health. Accessed June 2022.
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.

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Bring positive changes to your life

Take care of your mental health

Effective diabetes self-management is critical

Dealing with the news can be difficult

Typically, these feelings subside over time.
But to deal with this initial storm, you can:

Depression can happen to anyone

Take note if you feel²:

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

Diabetic burden

Tips to better manage your emotions

Control your glucose levels

Learn more about reducing my risk

References

Take the test

Find a doctor

What else can I do?

Disclaimer

Take care of your mental health

Effective diabetes self-management is critical

Dealing with the news can be difficult

Typically, these feelings subside over time.But to deal with this initial storm, you can:

Depression can happen to anyone

Take note if you feel2:

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

Diabetic burden

Tips to better manage your emotions

Control your glucose levels

Learn more about reducing my risk

References

Take the test

Find a doctor

What else can I do?

Typically, these feelings subside over time.
But to deal with this initial storm, you can:

Take note if you feel²:

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