Mental Health & Type 2

[Diabeticfairy]

Hi all,

Can I ask how you maintain good mental health whilst managing your diabetes please? I suffer with Bipolar Disorder and have recently been diagnosed type 2 and am feeling completely overwhelmed. People keep going on and on about exercise when some days I can’t even drag myself out of bed. Nobody seems to understand what I’m going through and it’s tough.

One day I’m up and raring to go, the next low and in my bed. And this is all before I tackle what I eat and the cravings attached to bipolar medications.

Has anyone had to negotiate this minefield? Thanks

 

[Drummer]

No.
I eat a low carb diet, which keeps me in remission, with normal blood glucose and Hba1c.
Each day I get out of bed, eat a good breakfast and there is nothing more to concern me on the diabetes front until a few hours before I might go to bed, when I eat again.

 

[bakebeans]

I have up and down days. I find that if I’m eating healthy low carb food I feel proud and my mind is really on it. It’s great when I step on and scales and see a pound or 2 gone. I try and take half an hour or so to myself everyday and read, just forget everything for those few minutes and enjoy what’s going on in my book. If I’m having a bad day food wise and really crave something or someone brings biscuits or doughnuts into work instead of feeling down because I can’t have any I’ll have half and feel happy what I’ve still had a little and no where near the amount I would have eaten before diabetes.

I found it really difficult in the beginning but now look back on how far I’ve come and any exercise I do during the day whether it’s an video infront of the tv or just parking further away and walking more to the shops it’s better than nothing. Be kind to yourself and focus on the good days rather than the bad

 

[grovesy]

I understand what you are saying about dragging yourself as I have been there in the past. Rather than beating yourself, why not do what you can do on a good day, and on a bad day just do your best. Rather than focus on exercise why not just try and move more, walking, housework counts, and I even walk around the house doing things like waiting for the kettle to boil.
Good luck.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your bipolar and the extra challenges it presents for your diabetes management, and how overwhelmed you have been feeling.

Activity and exercise can be a helpful part of your diabetes toolkit, but it doesn't have to be anything too much, and needs to fit in with what you can manage.

As @Drummer says, there may be quite gentle things you can do around the house which could make a big difference.

What sort of cravings do you get with your meds?

Remember that carbs will have the greatest impact on your BG levels, while fats and proteins will leave them relatively untouched.