Diabetes, anxiety & depression

It can be hard getting to grips with diabetes and people can respond differently. Once you have been diagnosed, your diabetes will be with you for the rest of your life. This can be upsetting. You may have to make quite a few changes to your life in order to manage your diabetes. Some of the issues you may have to come to terms with include:

• frequent blood testing
• dietary changes
• fear of hypos
• driving restrictions
• embarrassment about hypoglycaemia
• feeling socially different
• impact on your employment
• realisation that it is for the rest of your life

Anxiety about your diabetes and future health is a common response to a diagnosis of diabetes. You may feel angry and worried about the impact diabetes will have on your life. Self-blame about bodyweight and an unhealthy lifestyle is also quite common. It is natural to feel bewildered and depressed about the prospect of having a progressive disease for the rest of your life. You may be more likely to feel anxious or depressed about your diabetes if you have other health complications, such as heart disease.

It can help to focus on the fact that most middle-aged people in affluent societies, face the same long-term health complications (such as heart attacks and strokes), whether or not they have diabetes. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, it is vital you seek emotional support from your healthcare team. If you are struggling emotionally you may find it harder to manage your diabetes properly and could put you at risk of developing health complications. With the right support and time, it is likely that you will come to terms with your diabetes and feel able to take control of your life again.