Unsurprisingly, living with diabetes is commonly correlated with low mood and depression. However, building positive emotion into our daily lives is possible, and can easily be incorporated into our ongoing self-care routines, just like our diabetes management.
Mental health
Diabetes and mental health are very closely linked.
Everyone can feel stressed from time to time. Managing your diabetes, as well as other life demands, can feel very overwhelming. Emotional swings can affect your blood sugar levels, so it's important that you know how to recognize mood changes or stressors and how to deal with them.
It is estimated that 30% of people with diabetes have symptoms of depression at one time or another. Sometimes people living with diabetes feel distressed, which can include feeling frustrated, sad, angry or worried. Diabetes distress is a very common condition, so do not feel that you are alone.
The articles in this mental health section explore these and other commonly seen emotional and psychological issues, and offer helpful tips on how to cope and develop management strategies.
Emotional well-being: an essential pillar of diabetes self-care
Emotional well-being is the partner to diabetes knowledge and self-care skill that can lead to a successful life, despite having a chronic illness.
Anxiety and diabetes
It’s natural for everyone to feel anxious or worried at times. A moderate amount of anxiety can be a motivator to get a project done or respond to a dangerous situation.
Staying positive with diabetes: the importance of being kind to yourself
Let’s face it, living with diabetes can be tough!
How to fight the diabetes blues
Do you or the person you support sometimes seem down, frustrated, or a little overwhelmed by the challenges of living with diabetes? Chances are you, your family member of friend is suffering from the diabetes blues.
Diabetes and anger
Diabetes and anger are very closely related. While it’s normal to be angry at times, severe and prolonged anger should be addressed and managed. Read about diabetes and anger in this article.