World Diabetes Day - Diabetes is Relentless
For World Diabetes Day on 14 November, Ian writes about the relentless effects of living with type 1 diabetes on mental health and everyday life, and how it leaves people constantly feeling anxious, angry or worn out.
Living with diabetes is relentless. It can wear you down and leave you wiped out as you try to lead a normal life. Insulin is a vital hormone, yet people with diabetes do not have what they need in their bodies. Those of us with Type 1 rely on injections. The dose is hard to judge. Too little can kill you. Too much can kill you. The amount you need can shift from day to day even when you think you are doing the same thing.
About 77 percent of people with diabetes have faced anxiety, depression or another mental health issue linked to their condition. The load is heavy. You make around 180 extra choices each day. That can leave you tired, on edge, angry or worn out. I still recall the firm warning from the Diabetes Nurses: “No matter how ill you feel don’t stop taking your insulin.”
There is a constant need to track food, routine and the small things that affect blood sugar. These steps aim to ease the strain but can feel like another layer of work. The strong focus on food can feed into Type 1 Disordered Eating. This can show up in many ways. Some people eat only a short list of “safe” foods. Others cut carbs far too much to avoid fast-acting insulin. These habits can creep in when you are trying to cope with the daily load.
You may have heard of Dr Rose Stewart, a Clinical Psychologist in North Wales who leads on diabetes psychology in Wales. You may know her from the CBeebies Bedtime Story read by James Norton. How to Manage a Mammoth looks at the emotional load of diabetes and how to deal with it. I thought I was good at talking about my condition in the five years since I was told I had it. Even so, the story helped me open up with others about how diabetes makes me feel.
Trade union reps give you space to talk about the things at work that are weighing on you. Long term health issues, even when well managed, are something you can bring to your rep. A plan for what to share with HR, Occupational Health, your manager and your co-workers can help you feel more in charge. Simple myth-busting also helps. “Yes, I can eat anything with the right amount of insulin.” “The device on my arm shows my sugar levels.”
You can read more in PCS Knowledge in our guidance on reasonable adjustments for diabetes.