Living with diabetes can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed. There’s so much to remember like the practicalities of general daily management: checking blood glucose (sugar), dealing with highs or lows, choosing healthy food, getting enough exercise, remembering to take medications. Added to the daily tasks there’s the worry about possible complications, making decisions about your health, and simply coping with the chores of daily life in general. When all this makes it difficult for you to cope with the everyday demands of living with diabetes, you may have something called ‘diabetes distress’.

The good news is that there are ways to alleviate or prevent this condition

  • Be aware of your feelings – almost everyone feels frustrated or stressed from time to time but when it comes together with dealing a chronic condition like diabetes you can feel overwhelmed. If you feel this way, it is a sign that you need help. Find out what and who can help you.
  • Share your feelings – talk with your health care team about your feelings. They can help you problem-solve your concerns about managing your diabetes.
  • Talk about negative reactions – sometimes family members, friends, or work colleagues may have preconceived ideas about diabetes that affect how they react to you. It is important that you don’t feel judged by others because you have diabetes. Find someone who you feel comfortable to talk with.
  • Talk to your family and friends – share with those close to you how you feel about your diabetes. Sharing will help you relieve some of the stress. Help them help you by being honest about your problems and letting them understand when you need them to help you.
  • Don’t try to manage your diabetes on your own – allow loved ones to help you take care of your diabetes. They can help you in many ways, from reminding you to take your medicines, helping monitor your blood sugar levels, joining you getting physically active, preparing healthy meals, and going with you when you visit your doctor.
  • Join a support group – meet other people with diabetes who understand what you are going through. It can help you feel less lonely and overwhelmed.
  • Prioritize the tasks – make a list of the tasks you have each day according to priority. This will help you deal with each task appropriately and will reduce the stress of managing your diabetes.
  • Manage your goals at your pace – you don’t have to meet all your goals immediately. Start a goal gradually and move towards it at your own pace. And don’t forget to take time to do things you enjoy unrelated to your diabetes like calling a friend, playing a game with your children or grandchildren, and activities with your family or friends.

Remember you are not alone. If you notice that you’re feeling frustrated, tired, worried about the cost of your medicines, and unable to make decisions about your diabetes care, take action. Tell your family, friends, and health care providers. They can help you get the support you need.

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ managing/diabetes-distress/ten-tips-coping-diabetes-distress.html

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