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Manage difficult emotions after
a diabetes diagnosis

How to live well with diabetes

 

Discovering that you have a lifelong condition is a shock. At first, the emotional upheaval can make it difficult to think straight and it is easy to think you will never be able to cope or be happy again.

The reality is, there is a bank of support out there, and many options to tap into that can help you take control of your life and navigate back to a place of meaning and fulfilment.

Like with anything new, it is going to take some time to gather the right information and understand exactly what you need to manage your condition and lead a healthy, balanced life. Thankfully, there is help at hand to fast track this process and in this article, we look at resources available to help you do this.

Many people come to see diabetes as something they can not only live with, but something which helps them live a healthier, enriched life.

Women on a picnic

The best place to start

Finding the right information and people to support you is critical when you receive your diagnosis. The priority will likely be to get your glucose levels under control, and you should have a healthcare team to help you achieve this.
Your team will probably comprise different healthcare professionals responsible for different aspects of your health, from experts in feet and legs to eye doctors and nutritionists. You may also be supported by a diabetes specialist nurse (DSN) who has specialist knowledge of the condition.
They will offer advice between appointments and let you know the right time to schedule meetings with other specialists.

HCP with patient image

Find your people

Outside of healthcare professionals, good relationships with other people are integral to wellbeing. We simply function better when we have people in our lives with whom we can share the good and the bad. Talking about your thoughts and feelings can help you to process things that are troubling you. Whilst it might not be possible to draw upon your usual networks face-to-face during a pandemic, there is much support available online and you can keep in touch with others using live video. It is important to remember that you are not alone.

 

  • Family, friends and colleagues – Though it can be difficult to tell others you have diabetes, it can help for certain people to know. These might include family, friends and work colleagues. Family can support you, especially as you will need to make changes to what you eat. Telling your partner will help them understand how you feel. How much you disclose to work colleagues may depend on your relationship with them, but it is a good idea for someone at your workplace to know so that they can support you if necessary.1,2,3,4

 

  • Support groups – Finding people who share similar challenges to you provides another important space to share personal experiences and feelings. It can be great for exchanging information about treatments, coping strategies and ideas about what might help. In a way, support groups can bridge the gap between the help provided by medical professionals and by family and friends. A doctor may not provide adequate emotional support, and family and friends may not fully understand the impact of a disease or treatment. Support groups come in all shapes and sizes, from online gatherings to face-to-face meetings. They can be led by a variety of professionals such as nurses and psychologists or by people with diabetes. They could incorporate educational opportunities, including guest talks covering topics related to the group's needs. Peer support programmes can be a great place to learn about living with diabetes from people who understand how to manage it day-to-day. While the Internet can provide endless access to health information, finding reliable and relevant sources can be difficult without guidance and support. Peer support groups can offer real, practical advice the medical system is unlikely to raise.5,2

 

  • Forums – Online forums provide a space to share common experiences or to chat about things other than your condition. It is like having a comfort blanket of people you can turn to (typically at any time of night and day) when you need answers to burning questions, a shoulder to cry on or just to have some fun conversation. As these forums are not moderated or reviewed by medical professionals, it is sensible to speak to your doctor before acting on any advice relating to your health.5,2

 

  • Blogs – You may also find it useful to read about other people’s journeys of living with diabetes. Blogs (also known as web blogs) are regularly updated websites of personal thoughts, typically written in conversational style. There are plenty of blogs focused on diabetes and they can be a great resource for friends and families of those living with diabetes as well.5,2

 

  • Helplines – Another place to get support and information when you need it is via a helpline. Anyone affected by diabetes, including family and friends, can make use of helplines which provide specialist information, advice, and support on all aspects of living with diabetes.5,2

 

 

Gathering more information 

Taking part in an education course is another route to gather knowledge about diabetes, leading to better management of the condition and a reduced risk of complications. Courses are typically taught in groups and led by healthcare professionals or trained educators who might also be living with diabetes.
Courses (most of which are free) should help you improve your diabetes management skills and let you ask questions. Like support groups, they also provide an opportunity to meet other people living with diabetes.
Courses come in all shapes and sizes and are not just for people who are newly diagnosed. You can embark on a course however long you have had diabetes, whether it is Type 1 or Type 2. They can be face-to-face or online, last a couple of hours or several weeks and cover all aspects of living with diabetes from food choices and how to take control of glucose levels to how diabetes affects your body.6

FreeStyle Libre patient sitting on a chair

Technology's helping hand

With the right information, making the most of advances in technology can transform the way we live alongside chronic illness. From apps and activity trackers to insulin pumps, there is a lot to choose from to help you manage your weight, exercise and carb counting and generally managing diabetes with greater ease.⁷

  • Trackers – Activity trackers such as the Fitbit or Apple Watch, can give you accurate feedback about how much, or how little, you are exercising, eating, and sleeping. This awareness can help you to make some real improvements. Research has found that using these trackers results in better long-term glucose control and a significant increase in activity.8,9
     
  • Insulin Pumps – If you inject insulin as part of your treatment regime, insulin pumps can be a good option. They are portable devices attached to the body that continuously deliver amounts of rapid or short acting insulin via a catheter placed under the skin. This offers an alternative to insulin injections for some people as they reduce the need for multiple insulin injections per day and give the user increased ability to control glucose levels.10
     
  • Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) – A major obstacle to glucose monitoring is the pain and hassle of finger pricks11,12. Because of this, people with diabetes do not test as often as they should and many do not achieve optimal glycaemic control11,13. CGM devices offer an alternative to finger prick testing, they measure your glucose levels every few minutes via a tiny sensor inserted under the skin of your belly or arm, and sends the results wirelessly to a pump, smartphone, or other device in more or less real time.14,15
  • Flash glucose monitoring system – In another step away from finger prick testing, the FreeStyle Libre 2 system monitors your interstitial glucose levels using a small sensor that automatically measures and stores your glucose readings day and night†. The FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor is small, comfortable to wear and painless. In fact, a study conducted by Abbott Diabetes Care found that 92% of patients surveyed (n=119) agree/strongly agree that applying the sensor is less painful than a finger prick16. Feel free to swim, shower and exercise* – the sensor stays on your arm and keeps working. Patients can easily check their glucose reading, trend arrow and glucose history using the FreeStyle LibreLink app, their FreeStyle Libre 2 reader, or both◊.

    In 'Managing difficult emotions after a diabetes diagnosis', our next article in the series, we will look at how to manage difficult emotions and the support available to do this Click on the right-hand button below to find out more.

 

The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician or qualified health provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

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Manage difficult emotions after
a diabetes diagnosis

 

References & Disclaimers

Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not real patients or data.

* Sensor is water resistant in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes. Not to be used above 10,000 feet

† Finger pricks are required if glucose readings and alarms do not match symptoms or expectations.

◊ Patients choose which device they want to receive alarms: FreeStyle Libre 2 reader or FreeStyle LibreLink app. They must start their FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor with that selected device. Once the patient scans their FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor with that device, they can receive alarms only on that device. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink may require registration with LibreView.

1. Baig, A et al., 2015. Family interventions to improve diabetes outcomes for adults. Ann N Y Acad Sci., 1353(1), pp. 89–112.

2. NHS, 2021. Type 2 Diabetes: Finding help and support. [Online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/finding-help-and-support/ [Accessed 29 Oct 2021].

3. Pamungkas, R et al., 2017. A Systematic Review: Family Support Integrated with Diabetes Self-Management among Uncontrolled Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Behavioural Science, 7(3), pp. 62.

4. Diabetes.co.uk, 2019. Diabetes and Jobs FAQs. [Online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-jobs-faqs.html [Accessed 29 Oct 2021].

5. NHS, 2021. Type 1 Diabetes: Finding help and support. [Online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/get-support/ [Accessed 29 Oct 2021].

6. Diabetes UK, 2021. Diabetes education: learning to look after your diabetes. [Online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/education [Accessed 29 Oct 2021].

7. Hunt, C., 2015. Technology and diabetes self-management: An integrative review. World J Diabetes, 6(2), pp. 225–233.

8. Osborn, C et al., 2020. One Drop App With an Activity Tracker for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial. 8(9).

9. Randriambelonoro, M et al., 2015. Exploring physical activity monitoring devices for diabetic and obese patients. UbiComp & ISWC'15.

10. Jacob, P et al., 2020. Treatment of type 1 diabetes complicated by problematic hypoglycemia. Transplantation, Bioengineering, and Regeneration of the Endocrine Pancreas. pp. 391-406.

11. Vincze, G et al., 2004. Factors associated with adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose among persons with diabetes. Diabetes Educ; 30(1):117.

12. Wagner, J et al., 2005. Invasiveness as a barrier to self-monitoring of blood glucose in diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther; 7(4):612-97(4).

13. Foster, N et al., 2019. State of Type 1 Diabetes Management and Outcomes from the T1D Exchange in 2016-2018. 21(2).

14. American Diabetes Association, 2021. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 44(Supplement 1): S85-S99. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-S007.

15. Diabetes UK, 2021. What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?. [Online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing/continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgm#criteria [Accessed 29 Oct 2021].

16. Haak, T et al., 2017. Flash Glucose-Sensing Technology as a Replacement for Blood Glucose Monitoring for the Management of Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes: a Multicenter, Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Ther, 8(1), pp. 55–73.

 

  

 

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