Friendly ear needed!!

[kat1989]

Hi everyone,
Just wondered if anyone has ever suffered with mood swings/depression after being diagnosed.
I was diagnosed type one in september and thought id took it in my stride but just lately im just really down all the time sick of injecting and testing blood,back and forth to hospitals,i hate going out for food now as people stare as i do everything that needs to be done.
Doesnt help im the only diabetic in the family and being 25 i feel ive got no one who understands what its like and the battles we face coping with our new lifestyle.
Just want to lock myself away and cry im just so tired and sit and think why me.

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hello and welcome, I am so sorry to hear of your sadness, some members on the forum have gone through similar feelings and honestly you are not alone. You are newly diagnosed and it can be a huge shock, with a lot to take in and also to come to terms with. But try not to see it as a burden or let it engulf and control your life, you can get through it, it just may take a little time, try to be strong.
Have a look at this :- Diabetes burnout, it may help you.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/diabetes-burnout.74048/

Take care and I wish you all the colours of the rainbow.......................except blue

With my very best wishes RRB x

 

[CarbsRok]

Hi everyone,
Just wondered if anyone has ever suffered with mood swings/depression after being diagnosed.
I was diagnosed type one in september and thought id took it in my stride but just lately im just really down all the time sick of injecting and testing blood,back and forth to hospitals,i hate going out for food now as people stare as i do everything that needs to be done.
Doesnt help im the only diabetic in the family and being 25 i feel ive got no one who understands what its like and the battles we face coping with our new lifestyle.
Just want to lock myself away and cry im just so tired and sit and think why me.

Hello Kate, firstly you are not alone so please don't ever think you are (((((((((hugs)))))))))) Please tell your team at the hospital how you are feeling, this way help can be given on an individual bases.
If your blood sugars are up and down this will cause mood swings, the higher your numbers the blacker you will feel. Things will improve so keep your chin up.
Some people have described the black feeling as a kind of grieving for the life they had before.
The easiest way I have found to cope is to take 1 day at a time, just sort the day you are in out and forget yesterday. If having a bad day there is always tomorrow.

 

[yingtong]

kat1989,don't beat yourself up.I have been type1 for over 52 years and yes,it is not easy but my motto is don't let the diabetes rule you,you rule the diabetes.I have led a good life and done every thing I have wanted to do.I have a wife and four wonderful children and 7 lovely grandchildren.I am not kidding you,it's not easy but with a little effort from you it is manageable.Good luck and rember you can beat this bloody decease

 

[AndyS]

Hi Kate,
Seconding you are not alone. It does feel that way some times and I think the first year is probably the toughest since there is that biggest upheaval from "normal" life.
You end up to and from the hospitals more and you are constantly being scared to bit with all the horror stories of the various complications.
The key is that if you are looking after yourself and your sugars are good then your outlook will be pretty good.

I understand where you are coming from with being the only person in the family with the condition. I'm in the same position but you just need to try and work out what works for you.

Talk to your diabetes team, see if there are any support groups nearby or even see if anyone on here lives nearby and is up for coffee or something. Having someone that knows where you are coming from and what you are talking about can most definitely help I think.

Hang in there, you will do great.

 

[kat1989]

Thank you all nice to know im not alone in this,i try my beat and not let the diabetes get to me bt some days i just feel like giving up.
Im going through the honeymoon period at the moment so just when i thouhh id got hang of it my body throws something else at me to try and deal with.
Its nice to know we can still have a healthy and happy lifestyle and hopefully will bounce back soon x

 

[Olwin11]

Hi everyone,
Just wondered if anyone has ever suffered with mood swings/depression after being diagnosed.
I was diagnosed type one in september and thought id took it in my stride but just lately im just really down all the time sick of injecting and testing blood,back and forth to hospitals,i hate going out for food now as people stare as i do everything that needs to be done.
Doesnt help im the only diabetic in the family and being 25 i feel ive got no one who understands what its like and the battles we face coping with our new lifestyle.
Just want to lock myself away and cry im just so tired and sit and think why me.

 

[kat1989]

Hi Kate,
Seconding you are not alone. It does feel that way some times and I think the first year is probably the toughest since there is that biggest upheaval from "normal" life.
You end up to and from the hospitals more and you are constantly being scared to bit with all the horror stories of the various complications.
The key is that if you are looking after yourself and your sugars are good then your outlook will be pretty good.

I understand where you are coming from with being the only person in the family with the condition. I'm in the same position but you just need to try and work out what works for you.

Talk to your diabetes team, see if there are any support groups nearby or even see if anyone on here lives nearby and is up for coffee or something. Having someone that knows where you are coming from and what you are talking about can most definitely help I think.

Hang in there, you will do great.

Thank you never thought of seeing if people are local to me just sit and think they have their own problems so who wants to sit and listen to mine lol

 

[jack412]

Thank you never thought of seeing if people are local to me just sit and think they have their own problems so who wants to sit and listen to mine lol

you are almost there, stage 4 of 5..I hope you can work through it with your team and of course your peer group here
http://www.diabetesexplained.com/the-five-stages-of-grief.html

 

[KateA]

Hi @kat1989 , I found the five stages of grief article very helpful, I was a right moody cow following my diagnosis. Abertay University are carrying out a study into counselling for diabetics, if you are interested. Some days are better than others but you will always find support here. Take care.











Link removed as this research study is awaiting approval.

 

[Didnt plan for this]

Hi everyone,
Just wondered if anyone has ever suffered with mood swings/depression after being diagnosed.
I was diagnosed type one in september and thought id took it in my stride but just lately im just really down all the time sick of injecting and testing blood,back and forth to hospitals,i hate going out for food now as people stare as i do everything that needs to be done.
Doesnt help im the only diabetic in the family and being 25 i feel ive got no one who understands what its like and the battles we face coping with our new lifestyle.
Just want to lock myself away and cry im just so tired and sit and think why me.

Hi Kat1989

Sorry to hear what you are going through......you are not alone in that.

I would echo what other people have said - just take one day at a time, and 'forget yesterday' as Carbsrok says. Try to recognise even small successes - like that you are trying, even that you are just testing your blood regularly- some people don't! Type 1 can be overwhelming, especially when first diagnosed with all the information/kit/appointments - but it will get easier with time and stops controlling/engulfing your life as Robinredbreast says.

I was also diagnosed at 25 with no other family members with the condition. Like you, at first I just took it in my stride and very pragmatic about it all (or so people told me), it was only later after the initial shock, that I started to struggle. Its perfectly natural to feel alone with diabetes and just totally fed up at times.....I think its useful to acknowledge that living with it can be difficult and it can totally suck - if nothing else so we aren't too hard on ourselves for occasionally feeling low, 'burned out' or having bad control days.

As others have said on this thread, you have come to the right place. I only discovered these forums a week ago, and think I have learnt more (and felt less alone with Type 1) than in the last ten years. So you are a step ahead of me there

Please consider speaking to your diabetes team about it - I was surprised how instantlyunderstanding and supportive my DSN was. They even offered me the chance to see a Psychologist, who would be a specialist in health psychology. My GP also offered counselling.

There is lots of information on the web about the link between diabetes and depression......you might find some of the links below helpful or reassuring about how you are feeling, as I did. It seems likely the relationship between diabetes and mood is complicated and probably varies from person to person.

Info about diabetes and depression and 'Burn out'
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-depression.html

Info about anxiety and depression
http://www.iddt.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Stress-Anxiety-Depression.pdf

There are also articles and people's experiences on the Diabetes.org.uk website.

I won't go into detail on the thread about my own experience, but feel free to PM me if you would like to talk more. I also used to work for mental health services and have family experience, so understand a fair bit about that side. But more importantly, I have felt the same as you in the past, but now couldn't be happier with life. So keep going - there is hope

All the best, sending you a big hug x

 

[kat1989]

Hi Kat1989

Sorry to hear what you are going through......you are not alone in that.

I would echo what other people have said - just take one day at a time, and 'forget yesterday' as Carbsrok says. Try to recognise even small successes - like that you are trying, even that you are just testing your blood regularly- some people don't! Type 1 can be overwhelming, especially when first diagnosed with all the information/kit/appointments - but it will get easier with time and stops controlling/engulfing your life as Robinredbreast says.

I was also diagnosed at 25 with no other family members with the condition. Like you, at first I just took it in my stride and very pragmatic about it all (or so people told me), it was only later after the initial shock, that I started to struggle. Its perfectly natural to feel alone with diabetes and just totally fed up at times.....I think its useful to acknowledge that living with it can be difficult and it can totally suck - if nothing else so we aren't too hard on ourselves for occasionally feeling low, 'burned out' or having bad control days.

As others have said on this thread, you have come to the right place. I only discovered these forums a week ago, and think I have learnt more (and felt less alone with Type 1) than in the last ten years. So you are a step ahead of me there

Please consider speaking to your diabetes team about it - I was surprised how instantlyunderstanding and supportive my DSN was. They even offered me the chance to see a Psychologist, who would be a specialist in health psychology. My GP also offered counselling.

There is lots of information on the web about the link between diabetes and depression......you might find some of the links below helpful or reassuring about how you are feeling, as I did. It seems likely the relationship between diabetes and mood is complicated and probably varies from person to person.

Info about diabetes and depression and 'Burn out'
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-depression.html

Info about anxiety and depression
http://www.iddt.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Stress-Anxiety-Depression.pdf

There are also articles and people's experiences on the Diabetes.org.uk website.

I won't go into detail on the thread about my own experience, but feel free to PM me if you would like to talk more. I also used to work for mental health services and have family experience, so understand a fair bit about that side. But more importantly, I have felt the same as you in the past, but now couldn't be happier with life. So keep going - there is hope

All the best, sending you a big hug x

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me
Feeling abit more normal now im not the only one thata in or been in this postion with the depression stage with diabetes.
I try talking to family and my partner but theyll never fully understand how i feel dealing with all this.
Just nice to know there is people who are in my shoes and know exactly how i feel and how bad days can get.
I try and stay strong foe my family and my son but lately ive got to the atage i could easily give up with it all :'( im hopig this will soon pass xx

 

[nicolabarnett]

I have been type 1 daibetic for over 30 years and am unfortunately like this every day now, even though i have ben on anti depressent for x number of years, I do wish you well in finding so help with this because at 46 i feel my life may as well be over now

 

[Diamattic]

You are definitely not alone here.

I went through pretty much the same thing. I was diagnosed last May, and thought I handled it really well for the first 3-4 months, but then all of a sudden things just go bad, emotionally. It can be tough, and we all get sick of it, but there is nothing that can be done sadly.

Its just an extra weight we all have to carry around, and when times are good, that weight it bareble, and sometimes not even noticeable, but when the rest of our lives start getting heavier it can be the straw that breaks our back. But as time goes on, we will all get stronger and learn to handle it better.

I don't know how things will play out in the long term, but i like to think that if i can make every day the best day possible, and look at things in small pieces they will eventually fit together into the best life possible. Trying to look into the future, or back at the past, I find, is what makes humans emotional, so whenever your having bad times focus on NOW. Handle what you need to handle at that moment and your anxiety will begin to fade.

Try not to over think diabetic things, count your carbs, basal and bolus correctly, make smart food choices and correct when applicable. Beyond that don't think about it - it doesn't exist beyond that. If you can handle those little pieces they will add up to good control, and a good life!

If you need to vent, this forum is hear, but try not to dwell on things. They are what they are, and you can only do what you can. If you have done that then put it out of your mind and move on!

Life is waiting, there is no sense in living in the past or the future of 'what ifs'

Just be awesome daily... its that simple.

 

[Picci]

I have been type 1 daibetic for over 30 years and am unfortunately like this every day now, even though i have ben on anti depressent for x number of years, I do wish you well in finding so help with this because at 46 i feel my life may as well be over now

Oh God, I've been type 1 for 36 years, I too am 46 and on antidepressants. I'm also having an awful time and have classic burnout symptoms. GP increased my antidepressants yesterday and I'm seeing my consultant in a couple if weeks. It is a comfort to know we are not alone.