Diabetes Distress

Dr Sanjay Kalra discusses the emotional impact that Diabetes has on one's mind and how to deal with it

- Dr Sanjay Kalra

Living with Diabetes may sometimes be challenging. The complexity of having to learn and assimilate various self-management strategies along with the need for regular health care may weigh heavily on some people living with Diabetes. This may lead to emotional stress, which is termed as Diabetes distress (DD).

Diabetes distress defined

Diabetes distress is defined as an emotional response characterised by extreme apprehension, discomfort or dejection due to the perceived inability to cope with the challenges and demands of living with Diabetes ( Kalra et al). Such significant emotional reactions may occur at diagnosis, due to the threat of complications, with self-management demands, or because of an unsupportive social ecosystem ( Fisher et al). Diabetes distress can occur not only to people living with Diabetes but their family members as well.

Dr Sanjay Kalra (MBBS, MD, DM Endocrinology) is a Consultant Endocrinologist at Bharti Hospital in Karnal, Haryana. Dr Kalra is the immediate past President of the Endocrine Society of India (ESI) and Vice President of the South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES). Dr Kalra is also an Education Editor as well as Deputy Chair, Advocacy and Partnership Working Group at the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE). Dr Kalra also serves as the Associate Editor of Diabetic Medicine (UK) and Executive Editor of Journal of Social Health and Diabetes. His research and work interests lie in the field of global endocrine and Diabetes awareness.

Is Diabetes distress common?