The Mental Game of Diabetes

*I’ll let you in on a little secret: the hardest part of having diabetes is psychological. At least it is for many of us. With all the attention your diabetes requires, how do you offset feelings of isolation, stay motivated, and keep from feeling overwhelmed?

Depression is a common sidekick to diabetes, unfortunately. So if you’re feeling down or distressed, it’s important to take a good, honest look at your state of mind. You may need some expert help. Sometimes just connecting with other people who face the same challenges every day can be very beneficial. The good news is that there are more resources, classes, conferences, and a bigger support community available to you now than any time ever in history for any disease.

For tips on both exploring your own needs, and ways to take advantage of support resources, please read this month’s edition of “Living with Diabetes: The Real-Life Stuff You Need to Know”:*

Tip 1: Be a Problem-Solver

Taking care of yourself with diabetes is indeed a “mental game,” requiring you to learn to function comfortably on a number of levels. The first place to start is in your very own head. How do you think about your diabetes every day? Do you tell yourself “it’s just … Read more>>

Tip 2: Get Screened for Serious Distress

Negative feelings and a sense of being overwhelmed are incredibly common among people with diabetes – so how do you judge whether you’re just experiencing the everyday frustrations, or whether you are genuinely distressed, and possibly in need of help? … Read more>>

Tip 3: Try Relaxation Techniques

For those experiencing more of the “everyday frustrations,” figuring out what’s eating you is always the first step in combating stress. Once you’ve pinpointed your sources of stress, you can hopefully tackle them directly by changing your schedule or talking with the … Read more >>

Tip 4: Find a Real-Life PWD Buddy (Person with Diabetes)

Feeling lost and alone? Isolation is one of the most important grievances of people with diabetes. Most of us lack a confidante who really understands what it means to live with this disease. That certainly was the case for me. One of the first things I did after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was find a friend- of-a-friend with the same illness who’d agree to meet me for coffee. … Read more >>

Tip 5: Find Support Online

As we struggle to offset stress and stay motivated, there’s no underestimating the value of community support – for everyone from the newly diagnosed to the long-term patient who’s feeling burned out by diabetes. If you’re reading these tips here at DiabeticConnect.com, you’re already tapping into the benefits of the online diabetes community … Read more >>

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About Coping with Diabetes & Seeking Support
Links from Amy Tenderich –

•    Five Ways to Feel Less Alone with Your Diabetes http://www.diabeticconnect.com/news-articles/4712-five-ways-to-feel-less- alone-with-your-diabetes

•    The Diabetes Family Affair http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/daily_living/Viewpoints/amy_oct05 .html

•    Everything I Need to Know I Learned at TCOYD http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/10/what_ilearned_.html

•    Who Is ‘Jimmy Insulin’? (mentoring program) http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/02/small-but-mighty-who-is-jimmy- insulin.html

•    Welcome to Health 2.0 (by Amy Tenderich) http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/daily_living/Viewpoints/amy_oct07.html