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Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) isn't always easy. The demands of management, the cost of diabetes supplies, and the stigma associated with having a chronic disease can all be stressful.
The social and emotional impacts of T1D are very real and can lead to experiencing burnout, depression and anxiety. Despite these frustrations and obstacles, many people with diabetes are able to achieve positive outcomes in both their diabetes management and their personal lives.
The ability to overcome these challenges and bounce back from downturns is often referred to as resilience.
“Resilience in diabetes means maintaining a sense of normalcy, adventure, love and wonder at the world while fighting the ever-present disease.” – Laura, 37, with type 1 diabetes
For some people, knowledge is power. Learning about type 1 diabetes, how to manage it, and how it impacts you and your life can help you better anticipate and manage various situations that cause stress. Also, preparation and planning for various scenarios can help reduce potential unknowns and stressors. Changes in routine, such as traveling, can be stressful. But careful planning in advance can help minimize stress. Still, even if you do everything “perfectly,” your diabetes can still go awry. This happens to everyone from time to time, but cultivating resilience allows you to realize that maybe you're just not doing well today and try again tomorrow.
Everyone has their own strengths that we can recognise and work on to become more resilient people.
For example, if you have a very organized personality, you might channel that trait into a more structured approach to coping and management, which includes setting goals and planning ahead. Try it for yourself: Here are some questions you can ask yourself to identify your strengths:
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
- How can you use these strengths to better cope with the stresses of diabetes management?
“Even if it seems hard, you can actually do it. You can learn how to count carbs, you can learn how to inject yourself, you can learn how to do it. Don't think you can't do it. can Let's give it a try.” – Cody, 10, with Type 1 diabetes
Your health care team, caregivers, family, and friends can also play a part in building resilience. Family members can offer support and compassion. Friends and coworkers can get information about how to manage a hypoglycemic emergency. Partners and other diabetes caregivers can accompany you to doctor appointments and reassure you that you are not alone. Mental health providers can also work together to build resilience.
“Having a strong social support network and being able to rely on my partner and other family members, trusting the technology and using it as a CGM or flash glucose monitor at night has given me a lot of peace of mind.” — Becca, 44, parent of a child with type 1 diabetes
Platforms such as Facebook and other social media channels can be a source of support and help you find peers who have been through similar experiences and can empathise with what you're going through. or Check out our local events page. People who make connections through online diabetes communities have been shown to have lower blood sugar levels than those who don't, which in itself helps reduce stress.
Part of being resilient is also the resources and tools you use to manage your condition. Flash glucose monitors (Flash GMs) and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), etc. It can help simplify your diabetes management routine, improve your quality of life, and help you feel more in control.
Diabetes management technology may be more beneficial to some people in enhancing their resilience than others, and if you haven't considered incorporating this technology into your lifestyle, now may be the time to do so.
“The continuous glucose monitor is an indispensable tool for me. It gives me a sense of freedom and allows me to be active without the fear of severe hypoglycemia.” – Henri, 32, with type 1 diabetes
Resilience is associated with strong social support: if the challenges of managing type 1 diabetes cause stress and you turn to others for support, it's important that the people you turn to for support offer encouragement, rather than criticism or judgment.
Here are some examples of critical and supportive language: If you notice that a friend or loved one frequently uses comments similar to the phrases on the left, you could share these examples with them and have a conversation about positive reinforcement.
In addition to offering to help and listening, it can also be helpful for others to acknowledge the efforts and successes of people with T1D. Recognizing progress provides positive encouragement and helps maintain motivation.
“Whenever I face the challenges of my diagnosis, I think of my family and friends who have supported me. They will be with me through the challenges ahead.” – Henri, 32, with type 1 diabetes