Will a diabetes clinical psychologist help?

C

Cbmod

Active Member
Messages
34
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all. My diabetic control is ok but could be better. I don't avoid sugar as much as I should- I have been diabetic so long now I think I'm a bit burnt out. When I was young I was extremely on it and focused. Since then, I said to myself that if I get signs of complications that would be the kick up the back side to get myself sorted out. However I have some maculopathy and now is the time to get sorted but I can't keep myself motivated. I just end up not caring enough to stick to it, or I just don't think about it. I think I've tucked it away with the "things to deal with later". I know it's probably not normal to be at risk of eye damage and still not change or care.

So I was thinking of looking for counselling to look at my relationship with food. Whilst looking for this, I noticed that my diabetes team appear to have a clinical psychologist. Is this worth pursuing? Are they the right person to go and see? Or will they just think I'm being lazy? If anyone has any advice, it would be thoroughly appreciated please.
 
DCUKMod

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Cbmod said:
Hi all. My diabetic control is ok but could be better. I don't avoid sugar as much as I should- I have been diabetic so long now I think I'm a bit burnt out. When I was young I was extremely on it and focused. Since then, I said to myself that if I get signs of complications that would be the kick up the back side to get myself sorted out. However I have some maculopathy and now is the time to get sorted but I can't keep myself motivated. I just end up not caring enough to stick to it, or I just don't think about it. I think I've tucked it away with the "things to deal with later". I know it's probably not normal to be at risk of eye damage and still not change or care.

So I was thinking of looking for counselling to look at my relationship with food. Whilst looking for this, I noticed that my diabetes team appear to have a clinical psychologist. Is this worth pursuing? Are they the right person to go and see? Or will they just think I'm being lazy? If anyone has any advice, it would be thoroughly appreciated please.
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To be honest, Cbmod, it sounds like you could do with a bit of support from someone. The psychologist could be a great start, as often just talking about "stuff" helps a lot.

Whilst this forum is no designed to replace any help from your health care professionals, and the teams available to you, it can be a great addition to them.

On this site we have load of members, with totals of thousands of years of experiences - good, and and ugly under their belts. There's usually someone who has been there, done that, and gone on to a different t-shirt!

Now isn't the busiest time on-forum, but I feel sure a bit later, there will be several T1s around to offer you a good welcome and some support.
 
Antje77

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,423
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Cbmod said:
I noticed that my diabetes team appear to have a clinical psychologist. Is this worth pursuing? Are they the right person to go and see? Or will they just think I'm being lazy?
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Yes, definitely the right person! And I can't imagine someone wanting to be a psychologist on a diabetes team when they feel that people having a hard time managing their diabetes are lazy ;)

Wish you all the best!
 
Diakat

Diakat

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,591
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Dislikes
The smell of cigars
Go for it. Getting some help can only be a good thing. Diabetes takes up so much headspace we all need support at times.
 
L

Little Bird

Well-Known Member
Messages
110
If you were to ask me personally then I would say look for a counsellor/psychotherapist, as a psychologist is not necessarily a counsellor or psychotherapist but can sometimes be the same thing depending on their training.

Either way, counselling is a deeply rewarding experience! It can be profoundly life changing and in my opinion should be offered to anyone and everyone experiencing diabetes of any type. Unfortunately NHS counselling is something of a post code lottery but If you are in the UK MIND offer a free counselling service in most areas but if that is not an option then there are many other free counselling services available, look for what is o your area. Counselling Directory and the BACP may be useful resources.
 
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C

Cbmod

Active Member
Messages
34
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Little Bird said:
If you were to ask me personally then I would say look for a counsellor/psychotherapist, as a psychologist is not necessarily a counsellor or psychotherapist but can sometimes be the same thing depending on their training.

Either way, counselling is a deeply rewarding experience! It can be profoundly life changing and in my opinion should be offered to anyone and everyone experiencing diabetes of any type. Unfortunately NHS counselling is something of a post code lottery but If you are in the UK MIND offer a free counselling service in most areas but if that is not an option then there are many other free counselling services available, look for what is o your area. Counselling Directory and the BACP may be useful resources.
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Ah thank you! I will look into counselling instead of the psychologist. Will any do or are there diabetic specialist ones?
 
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