Receiving a diabetes diagnosis brings plenty to adjust to and think about. Maintaining a healthy body is just one part of the challenge.
We mark World Diabetes Day each Nov. 14. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of mental well-being and stress management in the face of a diabetes diagnosis.
People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people without the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Getting help matters, as untreated mental health issues can make diabetes worse and vice versa, the CDC states. ThedaCare experts want people with diabetes to know about the help and support available to them.
Knowledge is Power
“Sometimes one of the biggest stressors is a lack of knowledge about everything that goes into managing your diabetes,” says Lois Kuehl, Outpatient Diabetes Education Team Lead for ThedaCare. “Definitely getting some education and information can help with that.”
ThedaCare offers a diabetes education program for people who are newly diagnosed. It’s comprised of several classes with a registered nurse and registered dietitian. The team walks people through many key areas. These include disease management, meal planning, exercise, and coping strategies for stress and anxiety.
A video library of information is available to everyone. The in-person ThedaCare diabetes education program starts with a referral from a primary care provider.
Other good websites include the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which has a chapter in Menasha. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes, but it also offers programming and support services.
“We also encourage people to seek support from their families and their health care teams,” Kuehl says. “They can help patients work through the factors that may be adding stress.”
Areas of Concern
People with diabetes often report feeling discouraged, worried, frustrated, or overwhelmed with the demands of managing their disease. This can lead to developing unhealthy habits, skipping health care appointments, or lapsing on care needs like checking blood sugar, according to the CDC.
People also might worry about how to handle disruptions in routine, such as holidays and travel.
“Sometimes people think they can’t travel anymore, but they absolutely can,” Kuehl says. “It’s just about helping them figure out what they need to do to be able to continue all the things they want to do.”
Diabetes Wellness Steps
The ADA shares tips for people to simplify their care needs and reduce stress.
Plan ahead. Use an organizational tool to help with planning meals, medications, appointments, and workouts. That may be an app or a paper calendar. Keeping lists of kitchen staples helps manage the need to have healthy and easy meals on hand. Find feel meal-planning resources here. ThedaCare also offers a page featuring healthy recipes here.
Coordinate meds. Most insurance will cover 90-day supplies of diabetes medication. A pharmacist can help coordinate so meds can be refilled at the same time. Better yet, some pharmacies can send medication directly. Some companies also offer auto-deliveries of diabetes supplies.
Get help for financial stress. “If your prescriptions cost too much, don’t stop your medications,” Kuehl says. “Talk to your provider instead. You may qualify for patient assistance programs, and alternative medications may be a possibility for you.”
Coordinate grocery delivery. Local grocery stores or services like Instacart or Door Dash may offer delivery. This can cut the need to plan a drive to the store. It also reduces the temptation to make impulse purchases. People living in rural areas may have fewer delivery options. However, many stores will at least have a pickup service.
Schedule virtual appointments. Many routine appointments may be available through virtual care, cutting the need to drive to an office visit. Use MyThedaCare to schedule virtual or in-person care or to reach out to providers with questions between visits.
Stay social. Connecting with others who are living with diabetes can help people know they’re not alone. Social media sites like Facebook offer lots of virtual groups to join. These include ones focused on type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or those that share healthy recipes.
Get active. “Exercise is a necessary part of managing your diabetes, but it’s also a great stress reliever,” Kuehl says. “Exercise increases the production of endorphins that act as mood elevators. In our program, we also talk about strategies such as meditation, deep breathing, and distracting ourselves with hobbies.”
Help is Within Reach
Don’t hesitate to talk to a health care provider about any mental health concerns. ThedaCare Behavioral Health also offers a variety of care options.
“People need to realize that they may need to reach out for help,” Kuehl says. “ThedaCare can help connect you to mental health resources, including our behavioral health providers.”
