With Mental Health Week starting soon, the month of May is the perfect time to talk about an aspect of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that is often overlooked: how it feels inside. Beyond blood sugar data and insulin dose adjustments, a person\u2019s mental and emotional state deeply affects daily life. Talking about it means acknowledging that mental health is not to be taken separately from diabetes, because the two are intrinsically related. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living with T1D implies bearing a constant, invisible mental load<\/a> which varies from one person to another and from one life stage to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some may have strong fear of hypoglycemia<\/a>, and decide to eat a little more \u201cjust in case,\u201d to avoid physical activity or to take less insulin than they need. While it\u2019s a legitimate fear, it can also get invasive. Others are more concerned with hyperglycemia and long-term complications. This can lead to constantly seek \u201cperfect control,\u201d with a dash of perfectionism<\/a>. Loneliness and anxiety, whether related to unexpected situations, potential complications or constant management, can also be part of the mix. But even with a lot of support, it can be difficult to feel understood by those who don\u2019t live with this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After diagnosis, over time, diabetes can also affect one\u2019s identity<\/a>. Some people with diabetes feel like the condition takes up so much space in their day-to-day life that it spills over other essential parts of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These experiences are all valid, and deserve to be acknowledged. Diabetes management is not an exact science; all the good intentions and energy in the world won\u2019t avoid hyperglycemia, missed doses or difficult periods, so it\u2019s easy to fall into self-blame. It should be noted that a constellation of factors<\/a>, many of which can\u2019t be controlled, can affect blood sugar levels and insulin needs (e.g., outside temperature, waiting times at the restaurant). <\/p>\n\n\n\n This collection of videos covers different aspects of mental health in the context of T1D. The goal is to normalize the wide range of emotions associated with T1D, and to openly discuss topics that are often overlooked, such as mental load, perfectionism and emotional fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMettre des mots pour mieux comprendre<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In their <\/em>web capsule series Healthy Mind<\/em><\/a>, Aude Bandini, professor of philosophy and patient partner with the <\/em>BETTER project<\/em><\/a>, and Sylvain Iceta, psychiatrist and researcher, broach these topics with fun and humour. <\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n