National Diabetes Week 12th – 18thJuly 2020
What is Diabetes?
According to Diabetes Queensland, ‘Diabetes is a serious chronic health condition that involves having too much glucose in the blood’. If this occurs for a prolonged period it can lead to several complications throughout the body, which can result in patients becoming severely ill. There are different types of diabetes, which include Type 1, Type 2, Pre-diabetes, and Gestational diabetes, with Type 1 being the most severe form. See the Diabetes Queensland website for more information at:
https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes/
What is Diabetes Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout?
National Diabetes Week in 2020 will focus on supporting the emotional and mental health and wellbeing of people living with diabetes. According to Diabetes Queensland, people living with diabetes can make up to 180 more decisions each day involving food, medication, exercise, and general wellbeing. It is no surprise that people living with diabetes can experience significant stress, anxiety, and feel overwhelmed or even ‘burnt out’. Managing these daily challenges of diabetes can lead to these types of mental health difficulties for one in three people with the condition.
Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout Associated with Diabetes:
Diabetes Queensland has proposed three overall goals to assist the management of diabetes, which include the following:
- Raise awareness of how diabetes can impact mental health
- Highlight the services and support available for people with diabetes
- Draw attention to gaps in diabetes service and support for future improvements
Along with these goals, it is important for each individual living with diabetes to know how they can improve their own mental health and wellbeing too. Whilst living with diabetes can be challenging and can lead to reduced emotional wellbeing, there are strategies that help.
General coping strategies include:
- Having Positive Support Networks – it is crucial to have positive people around you, which can include family, friends, your healthcare team, or a support group for living with diabetes
- Be kind to yourself – cutting yourself some slack and realising that it is okay to feel upset or overwhelmed is important. It is also important to:
- Talk to your healthcare team and supports about how you are coping – let them help!
- Maintain a healthy diet – this is important for general wellbeing and improved mood
- Be active! If you do a minimum of 30 minutes of activity/exercise/moving your body daily, you will see and feel massive improvements in your mental health and wellbeing. The bonus is that this is also significantly beneficial for diabetes management.
- Ask for help – it is OK to ask for help. Daily challenges of managing diabetes can feel overwhelming but it can become easier to manage with the right supports.
- Set yourself S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Further Assistance and Support
Our team at Minding Family Townsville would be happy to provide some further support to you or a loved one to assist with managing stress, anxiety, depression, or other concerns relating to their condition.
Please contact us on 47 238 221 to discuss pathways for referral.
More Information:
- For more information about diabetes, managing/living with diabetes, and support options, refer to the Diabetes Queensland website at: https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/
- They also offer useful info/ tip sheets on the following topics (see links):
Adjusting to life with diabetes
Diabetes distress
https://www.ndss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-diabetes-distress.pdf
Diabetes and anxiety
https://www.ndss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-diabetes-and-anxiety.pdf
Diabetes and depression
https://www.ndss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-diabetes-and-depression.pdf