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Learning that you have a chronic illness can be overwhelming and difficult to accept. Finding meaningful support can help you cope with your diabetes diagnosis.
The cascade of emotions a person feels after receiving a diabetes diagnosis is normal and can last for weeks, months, or even years.
For some people, these feelings can contribute to depression. 2 to 3 times more likely It occurs in people with diabetes. For others, it requires some processing and reflection, but each person handles it differently based on their situation and personality. For example, a new diagnosis may be more difficult to accept if a person learns that they must start daily injections or other important treatments.
“The information that a person is diagnosed with a chronic disease is not something that is easy to digest,” he said. Dr. Susan B. Trackman, a psychiatrist who specializes in helping people understand unexplained medical symptoms that have not been assigned a diagnosis. “Patients may struggle with their identity and self-esteem. Patients with chronic illnesses must not only change their lifestyle to cope with their diagnosis, but also find new ways of coping.”
She said that while betrayal of one's body can provoke common reactions such as guilt and denial, some people respond with acceptance. Some studies liken chronic illness to the grieving process, she said.
Whether a diabetes diagnosis comes as a complete surprise or the end result of a long process of overcoming the symptoms, most people with diabetes experience a range of emotions when they learn of their diagnosis. Some may liken this to the grieving process after death.Dr. Kubler-Ross first identified Stages of grief that people often experience after deathAnd since then, some have used these stages to describe the grieving process after other significant events, such as being diagnosed with a chronic illness or experiencing divorce.
Here are some stages of grief that people with diabetes may go through after their diagnosis and in the years that follow.
shock and denial
when krishna kalyannan (now the founder of Catalina Crunch, a low-carb, high-protein snack and cereal line) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 18 and remembers being “shocked.”
“I was a top-notch athlete, but I mistakenly associated diabetes with being overweight and older,” he said.
Rachel ColesMany patients experience this feeling for the first time, said the nurse and diabetes care and education specialist at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology in Austin.
“Some people deny it or don't believe it, perhaps because they don't have anyone in their family with diabetes. Some people get scared and emotional,” she says. “But most of my patients will be overwhelmed at first.”
This stage may last for a while, or it may be just a moment of shock at the news. Trachman gives several examples of thoughts about denial that people have experienced.
- “Diabetes is no big deal. There could be something worse.”
- “But I feel great!”
- “Why bother with that? You're going to have to die from some disease someday.”
“Sometimes denial can be a healthy defense,” Coles said. “This allows patients to digest the information and come to terms with the diagnosis over time.”
She explained that our minds protect us from painful emotions associated with new realities. But if that denial lasts for a while, you may end up in worse health than those who have overcome it. “[People in denial] likely to abandon ~ [diabetes-friendly] “We provide diet, exercise and other helpful recommendations to manage the disease,” she said.
Coles added that those in denial may not keep their word. “While a small number of people are still in denial months after diagnosis, many develop illness fatigue years later,” she says.
anger
Kalyannan said that immediately after denying the charges, he became “red-faced and angry.”
“When my diabetic doctor told me to stop eating a long list of savory foods, the sweets I loved, I knew she was telling me what I could and couldn’t eat. I was angry at their courage to try,” he said. “Actually, I decided to spitefully keep eating sweets that I knew I shouldn't have,” he said, quickly realizing that this was not a sustainable way to live.
“They might think, ” Coles said. [diabetes] It's a death sentence and they don't know what their life is going to be like or what it means. They may not want to take the medication. ”
Anger may be associated with feeling overwhelmed with the need for diabetes education and subsequent appointments.
“Imagine being told you have a lifelong chronic disease that is known to cause multiple complications,” Coles says. We'll answer all your questions about pathophysiology, diet, exercise, medications, impact on your life, work, relationships, financial burden, and more. ”
negotiation
“I would do anything to turn back time” or “God please…”. These are common thought processes for people in the post-diagnosis negotiation stage, and they often feel guilty and regretful.
“At this stage, it's important to remind patients that the diagnosis may not be the result of 'doing something wrong'. Some diseases can be inherited, but it can also be caused by inappropriate lifestyle changes. It has nothing to do with it,” Coles said.
This is especially true of the misconception that type 2 diabetes is caused by excess weight or poor dietary and lifestyle choices. Reassurance from the medical team is also essential at this stage. “It is helpful to remind patients that: [diabetes] is a highly treatable disease, with appropriate behavior modification and medication. [full and healthy] Life is achievable,” she added.
A high-quality, collaborative medical team and a personal support system of family and friends are what Trackman calls “protective factors” that play a large role in how a person perceives their diagnosis. I will fulfill it. Protective factors are conditions and supports that help people overcome difficult events, such as a diagnosis, how a person moves through the stages of grief, and how deeply these emotions affect a person. It may also affect something.
“The people who seemed to be the most supportive had a positive response and were most helpful in accepting the diagnosis,” she said.
depression
Robbie Barbaro, co-founder of master diabetesDiagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, he said, “I remember being so sad in the hospital and crying about this whole situation.”
According to Trachman, people at this stage after diagnosis often have thoughts like:
- “I'm so sad.
- “What's the point?”
- “I miss my life before diabetes.”
She points out that getting through this feeling after diagnosis is quite different from clinical depression. In fact, overcoming these feelings may even be a sign of progress.
“This shows that the patient understands the certainty of the diagnosis, which is essential for resolution and progression. There may be a feeling of hopelessness, but, like grief, it usually passes. ” she said.
However, if this is not the case, mental health interventions should be considered and the need should be attended to by the diabetes care team.
acceptance, hope, and even gratitude.
Once a person shifts to the mindset of “I can control and manage this'' and “It's going to be okay'', they have achieved acceptance. “Acceptance indicates that the patient agrees with the diagnosis. [seeing it as] of [intruder] We need to be afraid and fight,” Truckman explained.
Some people reach this stage sooner than others. And some people may never feel that way. Barbaro said his older brother was diagnosed nearly 10 years before he was, so he accepted immediately. Because of that, he has watched his family navigate the details and challenges.
“I don't remember going through a lot of struggles or different stages. I think I moved into a state of acceptance pretty quickly,” Barbaro said. About six years later, he said he has grown grateful for the opportunities his diagnosis has brought.
“That inspired me to learn everything I could about health and well-being. I believe I'm healthier because Type 1 is the catalyst,” he said. Ta. “If I didn't have the motivation to be as healthy as possible and increase my insulin sensitivity, I would probably be eating junk food and creating other chronic diseases in my body. ” could be affected by heart disease, the number one cause of death in our country. ”
He is currently a diabetes coach and a New York Times bestseller.master diabetes” Barbaro said this diagnosis was the beginning of his life path and purpose. But his support system was essential along the way. “I think I'm lucky to be surrounded by people who don't play the victim card and choose to make the most of what they're given,” he said.
But acceptance doesn't necessarily mean you have to like your condition. “However, feelings about diabetes never completely go away,” Kalyannan says. “For example, I might complain in her head that it takes me twice as long to get ready for bed as my wife because I have to take insulin and have my blood sugar checked. .”
Tips for getting through the stages of grief
In addition to finding a meaningful support system at home and through your medical team, Trachman offers some tips for anyone dealing with post-diagnosis emotions, regardless of stage.
- Accessing information to know support, treatment options and what to expect can help you feel more in control
- Daily exercise is good not only for managing blood sugar levels but also for your mood.
- setting Regular sleep schedule to reduce inflammationhas been implicated in many chronic diseases, including diabetes.
- Meditation is associated with using a 10 minute meditation app. Improved coping with difficult emotions (Trackman likes HeadSpace)
- Seeking social connections (not to be confused with social media) as strong social support is a protective factor
Finally, if you are in the emotional recovery process and are having difficulty controlling your emotions or suspect that you have a mental health condition, contact your medical team.
