Individuals with diabetes are often supported by a number of medical providers, including doctors, nurses, diabetes educators, and maybe even dieticians or social workers. However, living with a chronic illness, like diabetes, has many ups and down that can be challenging to address in a typical health care setting. Often, a diabetes psychologist can help turn the “what” of the medical teams recommendations into the “how” it will fit into your already busy life!
Here are 10 ways a diabetes psychologist can help children, adolescents, young adults, adults and families live a fulfilling life with diabetes!
Coping with emotions
Understand how to cope and manage a new diagnosis or how to adjust to a new developmental stage while living with diabetes
Coping strategies
Teach effective coping strategies for diabetes management tasks, such as monitoring blood sugar, giving insulin, dietary choices, integrating diabetes care into daily activities, and emotional impact of diabetes.
Reduce diabetes related fear and anxiety
Provide tools to reduce fear and anxiety related to diabetes, finger pricks, needles, hypoglycemic/low blood sugar, social interactions, or potential complications.
Troubleshooting adherence challenges
Problem-solving barriers and challenges with adherence to medical treatment recommendations.
Help with body image and self esteem issues
Children, adolescents and adults with diabetes can struggle with body image. This might be related to changes in weight, appearance or visibility of technology used to support diabetes management, like CGMs or insulin pumps.
Managing depression, anxiety, behavior problems and other mental health concerns
People with diabetes are more likely to experience mental health concerns than people without diabetes. Typical mental health interventions may not incorporate aspects of diabetes essential to treat these concerns.
Family Therapy
Diabetes management involves the whole family and can affect family relationships and dynamics. A psychologist can work with the family to improve communication, transitions management responsibilities, and create supportive systems for families.
Dealing with Social Issues
Throughout life, people with diabetes may feel different or excluded from their peers. A psychologist can help navigate social situations, educate their friends about diabetes, and build confidence in managing diabetes in social settings.
Diabetes burnout
Periods of diabetes burnout are common for individuals living with diabetes. Burnout is the result of the ongoing stress of living with diabetes that can be physically and mentally draining. Burnout can lead to diabetes distress, exhaustion with diabetes management, and tension in relationships around diabetes. A diabetes psychologist can support individuals and families through this period to improve physical and emotional experience of diabetes.
Building resilience and positive mindset
Living and thriving with diabetes requires resilience. A diabetes psychological help individuals foster a sense of control, confidence in managing their diabetes, living a fulfilling life and building a positive outlook on life.
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