Reflecting on Burnout and Frustration With Type 2 Diabetes

It's been over 30 years since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Overall, it has impacted my mental health more than I expected. My mother died at the age of 38 from complications of having T2D; I was 19 years old at the time.

The mental burden of T2D

At the beginning of my type 2 diabetes journey, I never knew that I had to face so many mental health issues because of my condition. I focused on diet, lifestyle, and managing my blood sugar levels. But I felt the psychological burden of diabetes early on.

I was constantly worried that my blood sugar level might drop. Food was always on my mind:

• "What should I eat?"
• "Should I go out to dinner with my friends?"
• "Do I just stay home and cook a meal?"

There were sleepless nights when all I could think about was type 2 diabetes and coming up with worst-case scenarios in my head.

Burnout: No breaks with diabetes

As time passed, I had considerable burnout. Managing type 2 diabetes is an endless task. We don't get any breaks or vacations from T2D.

This became exhausting, both physically and mentally. I always felt trapped in the vicious cycle of monitoring my blood sugar and taking medicines on time. Because of this, I used to get very irritated and often avoided social gatherings because I constantly considered what I ate and said no to so many things.

I felt isolated at times, and dealing with depression became a constant struggle in my life. Sometimes, I would get overwhelmed, wondering if my life would ever be normal. Would I ever feel free from this tiring task of managing my diabetes? Feelings of guilt and self-sabotage affected my mental health significantly.

Whenever my blood sugar level used to get low, I used to blame myself for not taking care of my health. At one point, I felt like I was following in my mother's footsteps. People's perception of my health also contributed to my guilt. Whenever I took a "day off" from this routine of managing diabetes or ate a bit extra at dinner, I often felt judged by people around me for not taking my health seriously.

This all led to more stress, but with time, I realized managing my diabetes is a very complex task, and taking complete control of it is nearly impossible.

Things that supported my mental health

If you have support from your family and friends, embrace it. Those who understand what you are going through can help take on some of the mental load of diabetes.

Whenever I felt alone or frustrated, I would talk to a good friend or attend a support group, allowing me to talk about my fears, concerns, or feelings freely. Along with a therapist, I started practicing meditation to calm my nervous system and racing thoughts. Mindful activities not only helped me get free from the constant stress I was facing but also helped me look on the brighter side. I learned to be thankful for what I have now.

During these last few decades, one thing I have learned is that people often overlook the impact of type 2 diabetes on mental health. Its impact is crucial and should not be ignored. Always remember that your mental health is as important as your physical health.