{"id":9108,"date":"2023-11-30T17:25:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T22:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/type-1-diabetes-heavy-mental-load-not-to-be-taken-lightly\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T14:50:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:50:14","slug":"type-1-diabetes-heavy-mental-load-not-to-be-taken-lightly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/en\/type-1-diabetes-heavy-mental-load-not-to-be-taken-lightly\/","title":{"rendered":"Type 1 diabetes\u2019 heavy mental load: not to be taken lightly"},"content":{"rendered":"

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have diabetes on their mind 24\/7. Every day and every night bring their own challenges, from preventing and managing hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes to adjusting insulin doses, calculating carbohydrates and getting medical supplies ready, just to name a few.<\/p>\n

The heavy emotional and physical burden of managing T1D on a daily basis has a definite impact on mental health. An increasing number of scientific studies confirm that people with T1D are particularly prone to psychological problems (e.g., burnout and distress) and mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression).<\/p>\n

Due to the increased risk of diabetes-related complications and premature death associated with the co-occurrence of T1D and mental health problems, JDRF recently launched a directory of mental healthcare providers trained in the reality of T1D<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are also resources and very competent people outside this recent initiative. We\u2019ve compiled a list of websites, self-help groups and other mental health resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These tools are particularly helpful if you\u2019re experiencing any of the problems described here.<\/p>\n

Distress and diabetes burnout<\/b><\/h2>\n

Most people living with T1D experience different forms of stress related to their condition: at the time of diagnosis, when experiencing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, fear of developing complications, fear of how others see them, financial stress, worrying about loved ones, fear of being a burden, etc. It\u2019s perfectly normal to feel stress from time to time. However, if you feel frustrated, discouraged or overwhelmed by diabetes, you\u2019re probably experiencing distress<\/b>. This common problem affects between a third and almost half of adults and young people with diabetes (of all types), and can also affect those around you (e.g., parents or spouses).<\/p>\n

According to several studies, diabetes-related distress is associated with higher levels of glycated hemoglobin (average blood sugar levels over the past three months), blood pressure and bad cholesterol. People experiencing high levels of diabetes-related distress would therefore be exposed to a higher risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease (1.7 times higher than average), in addition to having a lower quality of life than the general population.<\/p>\n

When the emotional, mental and physical burdens associated with T1D get too heavy, the distress can lead to burnout<\/b><\/a>. If you\u2019re tired of diabetes and feel like giving up and ignoring it, don\u2019t hesitate to talk to your healthcare team and\/or a mental health professional to clarify what\u2019s happening and get the right support.<\/p>\n

Anxiety\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anxiety disorders are a common mental health problem among people with diabetes (of all types). Scientific studies report that up to 40% of people with T1D experience symptoms of anxiety (e.g., restlessness, a lumpy or tight feeling in the throat, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, upset stomach). This problem is more likely to affect those who are newly diagnosed with T1D, women and those between 26 and 45 years of age (all sexes combined).<\/p>\n

Anxiety can sometimes lead to a generalized anxiety disorder (high levels of anxiety over a period of at least 6 months), which studies suggest affects around 14% of people with T1D.<\/p>\n

Anxiety disorders often stem from fear of hypoglycemia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Depression<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to Diabetes Canada, depression affects around 30% of people with T1D. Out of these, 10% suffer from major depression (i.e., at least five depressive symptoms are present every day for at least two weeks). These rates are twice as high as those for the population without a chronic illness.<\/p>\n

In fact, these figures could be even higher, as this condition often goes undiagnosed or untreated in people with T1D. Depression can manifest as a result of diabetes-related distress or burnout, or stress and anxiety associated with treatment, a lack of support or complications.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest, sleep problems, chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating can interfere with blood sugar management and increase the risk of both short-term (e.g., severe hypoglycemia, frequent hyperglycemia) and long-term complications (e.g., eye, kidney and artery problems).<\/p>\n

In addition, the likelihood of developing a major depressive disorder appears to increase with the number of years spent living with diabetes.<\/p>\n

Remember that depression requires special treatment (e.g., psychological support and, possibly, medication). If you\u2019re feeling depressed, don\u2019t give up and ask for help. For example, you can get an appointment with a mental health professional at a CLSC through their mental health access point.<\/p>\n

Talking to someone: a key step to getting better<\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important to identify the symptoms of a mental health problem as early as possible. Diabetes Canada\u2019s recommendations on diabetes and mental health include adding psychological screening and follow-up into the treatment plan for T1D.<\/p>\n

Remember that managing T1D is a heavy burden that requires you to take care of your mental health<\/a> or that of your child with T1D. Be mindful of your emotions and don\u2019t hesitate to talk to your friends, family and, especially, your healthcare team. They can help you find effective coping strategies and, if necessary, refer you to support services that can make all the difference.<\/p>\n

Finding support<\/b><\/h2>\n

Social media platforms, as well as JDRF\u2019s mental health provider directory, can be a source of support and help you find peers who are going through or have gone through similar experiences.<\/p>\n

Here are three platforms supervised by scientists or T1D specialists:<\/p>\n