Why You Need To Address Diabetes Distress

Positively accepting the diagnosis through proper counselling can help overcome diabetes distress and lead to better outcomes.

- Dr Arbinder Singal

A diagnosis like diabetes can bring with it some amount of distress because most of the time it comes as a shock to many people since the condition is asymptomatic. But a recent survey done on 250 people with diabetes by a team of psychologists at Fitterfly saw that 83% of people were willing to bring in desired behaviour changes to take charge of their health and bring down blood sugar levels. With proper counselling and education about the condition, about 70% of people felt motivated enough to stay on the prescribed course of treatment and attain healthy habits. This also shows that positively accepting the diagnosis through proper counselling can help overcome diabetes distress and lead to better outcomes. This is the first-ever diabetes distress survey done in India.

THE DANGERS OF TOILING WITH DIABETES DISTRESS

While most of us don't speak much about the psychological impact of diabetes, this kind of distress is genuine and overwhelming. Diabetes distress can also manifest in different ways: .

Emotional distress: Making one angry, frustrated, guilty, or panicky

Physician distress: Unhappy with a physician due to lack of time spent or inability to express one's fears and concerns

Regimen distress: The continuous monitoring of blood sugar levels, diet watch and exercise, taking timely medication and more

Interpersonal distress: Problems between partners or limited involvement in family matters