A variety of issues related to diabetes can trigger stress, anxiety, and anger.5 These include the pressure of disease management decisions that need to be made every day, challenges related to intimacy, access to affordable supplies, navigating insurance coverage, difficulty making nutritious food choices or time for exercise, and feelings of shame or guilt when not achieving blood glucose goals.
Mental illnesses are conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feelings, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, disruptors to mental health can result in reduced capacity for coping with the demands of life.
If you or someone you know has diabetes and is struggling with anxiety, depression or needs mental health support, it’s important to know it’s OK not to be OK. Resources are available.
- The American Diabetes Association helps people find local mental health providers. Visit their site to learn more.
- The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) Provides resources and guidance to support the physical and mental health of individuals living with diabetes. Visit their site to learn more.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides helpful mental health resources and support. Visit their site to learn more.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Visit their site to learn more.
State of Prevalence
Diabetes State of Mind aims to drive more attention to the connection between diabetes and mental health, address misconceptions, and create a positive environment for conversation. With information, connection, and tools to help stay on top of the daily grind of diabetes, it is often possible to prevent feelings of burnout and distress from going too far. Learn more about the state of diabetes and mental health in the following states: Arizona, California, Indiana, Minnesota and Texas.