India is the most affected country by diabetes in the world. Though diabetes is considered a physical condition, it has a profound impact on your mental health. Up to half of all people with diabetes are thought to suffer from an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and loss of control (Diabetic distress).
Why is this so?
Diabetic patients are always under added strain and pressure in their life. The constant diet control, blood check-ups, and injections can take its toll. An occasional stressful or anxious day is fine. But the constant feeling of depression or anxiety calls for help and support for mental health.
Effect of mental health on diabetes:
Thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can affect how healthy your body is. Mental health and diabetes go hand-in-hand. Unaddressed mental issues can make diabetes worse, and vice versa.
ItтАЩs important to stay aware of the mental health challenges that go with diabetes. This will help in dealing with diabetes in you or your family.
Tips to manage your mental health:
- Make sure youтАЩre seeing an Endocrinologist for your diabetes care
- Talk to your health care team
- Consult a mental health counsellor who specializes in chronic health conditions
- Set one or two achievable & realistic diabetes management goals. Target to achieve it.
- Join a support group with people having the same concerns. Sharing your thoughts and feelings will help.
- Like diet, exercise, and blood glucose monitoring are all essential parts of a treatment plan, even maintaining your mental health is just as important.
If youтАЩre concerned about your mental health, let your doctor know right away. YouтАЩre not alone тАФ help is available!
Dr. Kranti Shreesh Khadilkar | Assistant Professor тАУ Endocrinology |┬аMazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Bommasandra, Bangalore