Managing Diabetes and Mental Health: When to Reach Out for Psychological Support

Living with diabetes can sometimes feel like a heavy burden. The daily tasks such as monitoring blood glucose, making dietary choices, staying active, and managing medications can become overwhelming. It’s completely normal to feel frustrated, stressed, anxious, or low in mood at times. Just as you look after your physical health, it’s important to care for your emotional wellbeing too.

WHY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT MATTERS

Diabetes doesn’t just affect the body; it can also impact how you feel and think. Emotional health is a key part of overall wellbeing. If diabetes is affecting your mood or motivation, or if you’re finding it difficult to keep up with self-care, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that support is available.

WHO PROVIDES EMOTIONAL SUPPORT?

Your healthcare team, including your general practitioner, endocrinologist, or diabetes educator, can offer basic emotional support. Simply talking with them about how you’ve been feeling can be reassuring and is often the first step to feeling better. For more ongoing or specialised support, you might consider talking with a psychologist, mental health nurse, social worker, or psychiatrist. Psychologists, in particular, are trained to help people with emotional health, motivation, self-confidence, and relationships.

HOW PSYCHOLOGISTS CAN HELP

Psychologists can support people managing diabetes in many ways, including:

• Helping you cope with feeling overwhelmed or fed up with diabetes tasks

• Supporting you if you’re avoiding self-care or struggling with motivation

• Addressing ongoing low mood, anxiety, or dissatisfaction with life

• Improving self-confidence and self-worth

• Assisting with relationship or intimacy issues

• Helping with eating or body image concerns

• Supporting you through loneliness, isolation, or withdrawal from activities

• Guiding you through major life changes or stressful situations, such as parenthood, work stress, or loss

• Providing support if you’re living with a mental illness

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SEEING A PSYCHOLOGIST

Most sessions with a psychologist are face-to-face, but phone and online options are also available. Sessions usually last about an hour, and you might see your psychologist several times over a period of weeks. At your first session, the psychologist will ask how you’ve been feeling and what’s happening in your life. You can talk about diabetes, but you can also discuss anything else that’s on your mind. Each session is a safe, non-judgemental space. The psychologist will listen, respect your privacy, and help you reflect on your thoughts and feelings. They may suggest strategies based on research and your preferences. Over time, support from a psychologist can help you feel relief by sharing your thoughts and feelings, learn coping or relaxation strategies, build new habits and behaviours for diabetes management, improve your confidence, and strengthen your relationships.

HOW TO ARRANGE TO SEE A PSYCHOLOGIST

You can contact a psychologist directly, and many have websites or online booking systems. Alternatively, your GP can refer you to a psychologist, which may be necessary if you want to access Medicare subsidies. Your GP can write a referral letter to a psychologist of your choice or recommend someone. Some people prefer to research and find a psychologist with expertise in diabetes or one who shares a particular cultural or linguistic background.

Seeking emotional support is a sign of strength, not weakness. If diabetes is affecting your wellbeing, reaching out to a psychologist or another mental health professional can help you feel more confident, supported, and empowered in your diabetes journey.

 

Explore our blog for more tips and resources on diabetes management.

Disclaimer: This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health provider with any questions about your condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 (US) or 000 (Australia) immediately, or visit your nearest emergency care center.

 Glucology is dedicated to transforming diabetes management with innovative and effective solutions. Our extensive range of products, including insulin pumps belts, blood glucose meters, and glucose management tools, is designed to support individuals in managing their diabetes with ease and confidence. Trusted by over 350,000 people in 23 countries, Glucology collaborates with major diabetes organisations to provide reliable and high-quality diabetes care.

Discover more about our products and solutions to enhance your diabetes management journey. Join our community and experience the difference with Glucology today!