Coping with diabetes-related health problems
When you find out that you have diabetes, you may worry about diabetes-related health problems. It’s important to remember, though, that many people with diabetes are able to live long, healthy, full lives.
People with diabetes have a greater risk for some other health problems, such as heart disease. Problems with your eyes, nerves, and kidneys can also arise.
But diabetes-related health problems don’t have to happen. Even if you already have some problems, it’s not too late to make changes to prevent them from getting worse. Healthy coping means not living your life in fear.
At the same time, healthy coping does not mean living life recklessly. It is important to take action to reduce your risk for diabetes-related health problems.
You can do that by sticking to your diabetes care plan and keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Coping with fear
It’s understandable to have some fears about diabetes-related problems. One of the best things you can do to fight the fear is to take care of yourself. These steps will also help you deal in a healthy way with the fear you are feeling.
Try to identify just what it is that makes you afraid:
- Understand the facts about the risk of long-term health problems from diabetes
- When your fears threaten to become too scary, remind yourself of the facts
- Stick to your diabetes care plan. It may benefit you in powerful ways
Personal stories about diabetes-related health problems
Coping with guilt and depression
One of the hardest things to deal with when diabetes-related health problems develop is the sense of failure, or of “if only.”
Diabetes-related health problems do sometimes happen when you do not follow your diabetes care plan closely enough. But they may also occur even if you did follow your plan. So it’s important to deal with any guilt or depression you may be feeling in a positive way. Depression is common among people who have diabetes, but most kinds of depression respond well to treatment.
The following tips may help you cope with your feelings:
- First, understand that diabetes-related health problems often are not as serious today as they may have been in the past. It may be possible to detect signs of diabetes-related health problems much earlier now. That may mean earlier care and possibly better results.
- If your “blue” moods won’t go away and are affecting your ability to take care of your diabetes, get help. Depression is real and needs treatment. Treatment can consist of medicine, counseling, or a combination of both.
- Start taking action to manage your health in positive ways. Feelings of depression are often linked to feeling powerless. Following a healthy meal plan, being more active, and engaging in stress-relieving activities are steps that can help.
- Work even harder to keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. High blood sugar levels can lead to mood changes that might result in depression.
In summary
Diabetes-related health problems don’t have to happen. But they can occur, especially when you are not careful about managing your diabetes. It’s important not to give up if you start to have diabetes-related health problems. Instead, look at problems as a wake-up call. Renew your pledge to take care of yourself, and start taking action today to stay on track.
