-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hi All
- Thread starter MatSW
- Start date
- Status
Hi Inka, thanks for getting back to me. My partner is caught in a cycle whereby she does not manage her diabetes properly (will not monitor her blood sugar levels, eat at regular intervals, binges on chocolate) and when her mood dips, her OCD is triggered (cyclical negative thought patterns, will not leave the flat, and if she does, is unable to come back inside for an hour or two until she has repeatedly undertaken a sequence of actions to sooth her agitation). In addition she has lost her business due to COVID-19 and sleeps until the afternoon and finds it difficult to complete any task. She is taking anti-depressants but will not talk to anyone about it and is displaying typical avoidance behaviour. To me, there seems to be a negative feedback loop between poor management of her diabetes nd her OCD which is taking it's toll on us both. Hate to sound moany, as there are people in a lot worse position, but any advice would be appreciated.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
You don’t sound moany at all. That must be very hard to watch. How long has your partner had diabetes? Has she always had trouble managing it or has something triggered this cycle eg stress, job worries, etc etc?
Have you talked to her about it? Is she receptive to suggestions from you at all? Has she ever said why she won’t or can’t manage her diabetes better? And do you think she might have issues with food that are impacting her management?
Lots of questions there, but it sounds like her diabetes problems are entwined with her other problems. Would she be open to talking to other people who have diabetes? Has she sought help for the OCD?
My general advice is to try to listen to her and avoid what could be perceived as ‘nagging’. Talk about your joint hopes for the future. Ask her if there’s anything you can do to help with the diabetes. Can you plan meals together? Would she appreciate reminders about testing?
I know you said you thought it was the diabetes affecting her other problems, but I’d think it might be the other way round too. She must be in contact with a doctor for the anti-depressants. If she won’t talk to them, could you possibly speak to them if needed and then they call her ‘just as a routine check’?
Have you talked to her about it? Is she receptive to suggestions from you at all? Has she ever said why she won’t or can’t manage her diabetes better? And do you think she might have issues with food that are impacting her management?
Lots of questions there, but it sounds like her diabetes problems are entwined with her other problems. Would she be open to talking to other people who have diabetes? Has she sought help for the OCD?
My general advice is to try to listen to her and avoid what could be perceived as ‘nagging’. Talk about your joint hopes for the future. Ask her if there’s anything you can do to help with the diabetes. Can you plan meals together? Would she appreciate reminders about testing?
I know you said you thought it was the diabetes affecting her other problems, but I’d think it might be the other way round too. She must be in contact with a doctor for the anti-depressants. If she won’t talk to them, could you possibly speak to them if needed and then they call her ‘just as a routine check’?
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Vicious circle is my non medical opinion when BG isn't stable it affects your mental health as well as your physical and the same in reverse - poor mental heath affects your ability to deal with physical health things.
Has she actually got a MH nurse - once you are referred and have a MH nurse you can contact them whenever you need help
Has she actually got a MH nurse - once you are referred and have a MH nurse you can contact them whenever you need help
Toucan
Forum Host
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello @MatSW
These are such difficult times for your partner with the triple problem of diabetes, OCD and the effects of the lockdown., but I am sure there is some good help available.
Have you had a look at he MIND website https://www.mind.org.uk/ ? - they look to have some links that might be useful.
Is she getting any help and support from her medical team on the diabetes? If not it might be worth trying to contact them to try and ensure she doesn't stray too far off line with this.
Hope you will keep posting and let us know how it is going. It is important that you also take some time to take care of yourself as well. Are you able to take some time away from the situation, maybe out for a walk?
These are such difficult times for your partner with the triple problem of diabetes, OCD and the effects of the lockdown., but I am sure there is some good help available.
Have you had a look at he MIND website https://www.mind.org.uk/ ? - they look to have some links that might be useful.
Is she getting any help and support from her medical team on the diabetes? If not it might be worth trying to contact them to try and ensure she doesn't stray too far off line with this.
Hope you will keep posting and let us know how it is going. It is important that you also take some time to take care of yourself as well. Are you able to take some time away from the situation, maybe out for a walk?
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Really sorry to hear about the struggles your partner is going through @MatSW
There is a known association between T1 diabetes and depression/mental health challenges, and you are absolutely right, effective BG management can help enormously, while erratic BGs can have a significant physiological and mental-health impact.
Is your partner receiving specialist support for OCD? It can be a devastating and debilitating condition, but there are ways through to recovery.
I think it would also help to seek specialist diabetes psychological support. Some of the behaviours you are describing must be heartbreaking to witness, and really do need addressing.
There is a known association between T1 diabetes and depression/mental health challenges, and you are absolutely right, effective BG management can help enormously, while erratic BGs can have a significant physiological and mental-health impact.
Is your partner receiving specialist support for OCD? It can be a devastating and debilitating condition, but there are ways through to recovery.
I think it would also help to seek specialist diabetes psychological support. Some of the behaviours you are describing must be heartbreaking to witness, and really do need addressing.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
If you are finding it tricky to have positive conversations around diabetes management, or hard to know how to approach them, you might find this ‘etiquette card’ a source of useful ideas as pointers:
- Status