People with diabetes do not get to pick and choose when they want to deal with it. Diabetes is an ongoing disease that requires 24/7 work. But does having diabetes stop people from living their life to the fullest?
There are probably many different answers to that question. According to Ginger Vieira, the author of, “Dealing with Diabetes Burnout,” on a daily basis, she tries to balance three things: diabetes, life, and happiness.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to control the body’s blood sugar levels. Because of the daily testing of blood sugar and the management of the disease through medication, activity and diet, people with diabetes can feel, as described by Linda Von Wartburg in Diabetes Health, “ground down by the appalling endlessness of self-care.” This causes burnout, which, in the context of diabetes, means ignoring blood sugar levels and neglecting the diet. This can harm a person’s health and contribute to diabetes complications.
Experts advise making “good enough” the goal, rather than perfection when it comes to blood sugar readings. Striving for perfection can cause frustration, which can lead to people abandoning checking their sugar in fear of another “bad reading.” Other ways to avoid burnout include: learning more about diabetes, working with doctors to come up with a plan when you are overwhelmed by self-care, and joining diabetes support groups.
Although a person with diabetes may get burned out, they don’t have to stay that way. Seeking help from health care providers, family and friends can get them back to living their life to the fullest.
Resources:
Vieira, G. (2014). Dealing with diabetes burnout: how to recharge and get back on track when you feel frustrated and overwhelmed living with diabetes. New York: Demos Health.
Von Wartburg, L. (2007). Diabetes Burnout. Diabetes Health, 16(3), 27-29.
http://www.joslin.org/info/avoid_diabetes_burnout.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/type-2-diabetes-live-better-guide/maintain-motivation/
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/emotions/diabetes-burnout.html
Content for this segment was created by Sidney Brockmeyer as part of a project for SC301: Foundations of Health Communication, taught by Ms. Clubbs.
