Hello all. First time on here. Diagnosed as type 1 in July following unexpected visit to A@E. Reading upon admission was 29.5 with keytones too. Been ok since and coping however over past few weeks started to feel more anxious/stressy about things that wouldn't have bothered me before. Is this normal ? Is it worth counselling ? Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome. Many thanks..
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Hi - Anxiety ?
- Thread starter Polo
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Hi Polo, welcome. There are others in the forum who know far more about this aspect of D so I'll leave the proper replies to them.
I do know that whenever I go to my diabetic checks I'm asked whether I'm depressed (which is a close relative of anxiety). In my opinion that's a daft question, because when I really did suffer from postnatal depression 27 years ago, I didn't know I'd had it until I came out the other side!
I do know that whenever I go to my diabetic checks I'm asked whether I'm depressed (which is a close relative of anxiety). In my opinion that's a daft question, because when I really did suffer from postnatal depression 27 years ago, I didn't know I'd had it until I came out the other side!
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum, Polo.
Of course it's normal to feel anxious / stressy about things, with or without a recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Counselling can help many people, but waiting lists may be long. Some hospital clinics have psychologists in the team, so worth asking, assuming you attend a clinic? Otherwise, best to ask your GP.
It's also well worth asking about education schemes - DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) is the best known and most widespread for type 1 diabetes, but some areas run their own courses. Often, gaining knowledge about things you can control helps to reduce anxiety overall.
Anyway, do ask about any specific issues - and please offer your answers and comments to others, too.
Of course it's normal to feel anxious / stressy about things, with or without a recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Counselling can help many people, but waiting lists may be long. Some hospital clinics have psychologists in the team, so worth asking, assuming you attend a clinic? Otherwise, best to ask your GP.
It's also well worth asking about education schemes - DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) is the best known and most widespread for type 1 diabetes, but some areas run their own courses. Often, gaining knowledge about things you can control helps to reduce anxiety overall.
Anyway, do ask about any specific issues - and please offer your answers and comments to others, too.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Polo, welcome to the forum 🙂 I think it can take a deceptively long time to get used to your diagnosis and all that it entails. It's quite possible that you have been coping well since the start of things, managing your diabetes and the changes it has suddenly brought to your life, but it is only now after a number of months that it has started to strike home - certainly this is what I experienced. I would say it is well worth a visit to have a chat with your DSN - worked wonders for me. She didn't say much, just let me talk and I was surprised at how much I had bottled up without realising it!
How are your levels generally? Are there specific times you feel this way? I can feel a bit anxious when my levels are higher than I am used to. What insulin regime are you on?
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Counselling usually helps most stressy things Polo; the snag of course being when it's entirely D related, the counsellor (unless a specific one attached to your D clinic) won't know anything about D ...... so sometimes not the best person to talk to, as speaking personally I got a bit more frustrated explaining why the stressors affected me physically the way they did (ie the stress hormones increase your blood glucose, so then of course you worry about that too on top of worrying about the original thing, which makes it worse)
Actually, my DSN was ace. I really felt I had a friend (I still do) who 'got' it all. With a brill sense of humour too. Have you tried discussing it with yours?
Also, it's kinda like bereavement you know. No-one has died, but you still need to sort-of grieve for that bit of your life - of you - that you feel you've lost. Which in the final analysis with modern insulin regimes doesn't amount to an awful lot, but what's that got to do do with it? LOL
Have a read of the Five Stages of Grief,
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm
I didn't get to see this till I'd had D for well over 30 years - yet I could identify with every stage.
It explains it well I think. And things aren't so alien, once you can rationalise WHY you feel however you feel.
Actually, my DSN was ace. I really felt I had a friend (I still do) who 'got' it all. With a brill sense of humour too. Have you tried discussing it with yours?
Also, it's kinda like bereavement you know. No-one has died, but you still need to sort-of grieve for that bit of your life - of you - that you feel you've lost. Which in the final analysis with modern insulin regimes doesn't amount to an awful lot, but what's that got to do do with it? LOL
Have a read of the Five Stages of Grief,
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm
I didn't get to see this till I'd had D for well over 30 years - yet I could identify with every stage.
It explains it well I think. And things aren't so alien, once you can rationalise WHY you feel however you feel.
Thanks for the advice. I think I will see my diabetic nurse about some counselling and/or local support groups. Currently on nova rapid three times a day and levimor at night. Levels still a bit up and down but also on antibiotics for sinus infection. Feeling pretty fed up but glad to have found this forum.🙂
Hi Polo - welcome to the forum. Anxiety and depression are normal when you are diagnosed with any major disease or have a health trauma. Talking about it with others who are supportive, is good as with any depression. Personally I have found that since I have taken a more active part in understanding and managing my D my anxiety and depression has improved, although there are still good and bad days. Sometimes you just need a kind word or a hug. If you need you can always come on here. I'll send a hug to anyone who needs it!
keep in touch.
Jack.
keep in touch.
Jack.
Chatterbox
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
May I disagree?
Trophywench - may I disagree with your comment about a counsellor having to know about diabetes to be the most helpful. I have experience in this field and have to say you don't have to have personal knowledge of a specific issue to be a good counsellor for it. In fact sometimes you ask more relevant questions and don't take certain areas for granted if you have little to no knowledge.
If you find you feel 'safe' with your counsellor then go for it! If not...try another counsellor.
Trophywench - may I disagree with your comment about a counsellor having to know about diabetes to be the most helpful. I have experience in this field and have to say you don't have to have personal knowledge of a specific issue to be a good counsellor for it. In fact sometimes you ask more relevant questions and don't take certain areas for granted if you have little to no knowledge.
If you find you feel 'safe' with your counsellor then go for it! If not...try another counsellor.
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi polo welcome
You know it's strange a opened up to a person who knows nothing about diabetes whatsoever she weren't a professional or anything either, she was my mother in law even tho I still get stressy at this point I'm actually really stressed but I digress, I think my initial chat with her always pulls me back,she sat listened and gave me sound advice.
I've used counsellors before with mixed results but horses for courses you must do what's right for you
Good luck
You know it's strange a opened up to a person who knows nothing about diabetes whatsoever she weren't a professional or anything either, she was my mother in law even tho I still get stressy at this point I'm actually really stressed but I digress, I think my initial chat with her always pulls me back,she sat listened and gave me sound advice.
I've used counsellors before with mixed results but horses for courses you must do what's right for you
Good luck
Wow! It is like you are mirroring my life! lol I got diagnosed in July. I currently have a sinus infection making me dizzy and I have anxeity! I had anxeity before this however was pretty under control until the diabetes thing. I went fro 'continue as normal thhis is fine' to a few months later not wanting to leave the house. 5 stages if grief would be good to read. Things will and do get better. private message me if you want to ask me anything. I too am on novorapid! x🙂
Dory
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
those with type 1 diabetes are more liley to suffer with clinical depression:
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=105582
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-depression.html
so it's important to realise that if you're feeling down etc, it's perfectly normal (after all, look at all the s**t we have to put up with sometimes! Quantum physics has nothing on this!).
If you are suffering from just feeling down and a bit overwhelmed, then I would suggest you speak to whoever you feel comfortable with - family member, friend, DSN, counsellor etc. however if you think you may be suffering from clinical depression you should go to your GP and let them know and they may suggest a different course of action (ie tablets - which I personally don't like the idea of).
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=105582
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-depression.html
so it's important to realise that if you're feeling down etc, it's perfectly normal (after all, look at all the s**t we have to put up with sometimes! Quantum physics has nothing on this!).
If you are suffering from just feeling down and a bit overwhelmed, then I would suggest you speak to whoever you feel comfortable with - family member, friend, DSN, counsellor etc. however if you think you may be suffering from clinical depression you should go to your GP and let them know and they may suggest a different course of action (ie tablets - which I personally don't like the idea of).
Again thanks for all the responses. Like Astbury I ve been carrying on since I was diagnosed as if there was no change however its like I ve been hit recently
by an emotional roller coaster and suddenly I,m stressing over things that never bothered me before. I don,t think I m clinically depressed but will talk to my dsn re counselling. Thanks again all.
by an emotional roller coaster and suddenly I,m stressing over things that never bothered me before. I don,t think I m clinically depressed but will talk to my dsn re counselling. Thanks again all.
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