Diabetes and Psychological/Behavioral Health Support1 in 10 Americans currently lives with diabetes. 1 in 3 Americans are pre-diabetic. (National Diabetes Statistics Report - CDC, 2020). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It can be a complete life change! While there is no cure for diabetes, progression can be slowed by losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active. Taking medicine as needed, monitoring blood glucose levels, and keeping health care appointments can also reduce the impact of diabetes on your life. If diabetes is not managed well, it can lead to heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, or other serious health complications. Diabetes Care Can Be Time Consuming ! Persons with diabetes will spend on average 15-60 minutes per year talking with their physician about their diabetes... and about 60-120 minutes per day participating in self management behaviors ! Self management tasks may include glucose monitoring, taking pills and/or insulin, attention to dietary intake, attention to physical activity, regular health care visits & screenings, and stress management. The Responsibility of Diabetes Management Largely Falls on the Shoulders of the Person With Diabetes .. Consider the Following Ways Self-Management Can be Difficult... Can You Relate?
Ways That Therapy Can Improve Your Diabetes Care Most therapy treatment goals will involve communication with your diabetes care team, especially your primary care provider/endocrinologist/nephrologist. Here are specific concerns that can be a focus of evaluation and treatment for persons living with diabetes: 1) Adjustment to changes in health status and self-management practices: Stress and mood changes are common occurrences in response to diabetes diagnosis and progression. Adjustment challenges can come and go as life circumstances and activities impact diabetes self-management. Worry, self-blame and shame, hopelessness, denial, and worries that something bad could happen are common experiences. Another adjustment response, Diabetes Related Distress, refers to burnout that may result from having diabetes and managing it. Diabetes related distress can have an impact on your emotional, physical, and behavioral responses. Therapy can help to clarify how burnout or diabetes related distress is impacting you, and take steps to treat it. 2) Depression: Negative feelings, such as depression or grief, can produce stress hormones which can cause your blood glucose levels to rise. Depressed or sad feelings can also affect your motivation and energy to take care of your diabetes. Awareness of depression symptoms is important for persons with diabetes; 18%–25% of people with Type 2 Diabetes will be diagnosed with a Major Depressive Episode, a prevalence that is at least double that of the general population. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression in persons with diabetes and also to support glycemic control. 3) Grief: Grief can be a common emotion as you are accepting the implications of having diabetes and living with it. When grief is strong and long lasting, it can progress into a depressed mood. 4) Stress due to having diabetes and/or everyday life: Learning and applying stress management skills can help you better manage your blood glucose levels and behavior choices. Ignoring stress or pretending it does not exist does not help. When you are under physical or emotional stress, your blood glucose levels tend to rise. It may also be harder to follow healthy lifestyle practices with higher amounts of stress. Therapy can help you understand the connection between your stress and how it affects your diabetes control. It can also provide you with strategies and support to handle stress better and continue to achieve your self- management goals. 5) Sleep Quality: Sleep disorders are more common among people with diabetes than within the general population. Insufficient sleep can affect insulin levels/glucose control and influence daytime food cravings for sugars and carbohydrates. The American Diabetes Association specifically recommends assessment of sleep pattern and duration due to the relationship between sleep quality and glycemic control. Therapy provides personal attention to identifying barriers to getting a good night's sleep and providing skills and support to improve sleep quality. 6) Other factors that may cause you to feel "off": High glucose levels can cause symptoms that look like depression. During the day, high or low blood glucose levels can cause you to feel tired or anxious. Low blood glucose levels can also lead to hunger and eating too much. If you have low blood glucose at night, it could disturb your sleep. You may get up often to use the restroom and then feel tired during the day (information from American Diabetes Association). These are examples of how complex diabetes management can be and illustrate why experts recommend a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses depression and diabetes together. Educational Resources and Inspiration to
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I can partner with you, your medical team, and family to help you adjust to your diagnosis, follow treatment recommendations, lessen diabetes-related family conflicts, cope with life transition, or treat any depression or anxiety symptoms you are currently experiencing. I am committed to your health and diabetes control! If you would like to have me as your ally in health, call or write today! - Dr. Melissa Soo Hoo |
Hours Mon-Fri: 8am - 7pm
Sat: call for availability |
Telephone 949.337.1034
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