Diabetic Burnout

Hi - sorry I won't be much help as I have no experience of this phenomenon in direct relation to diabetes..but since I'm here...for what it's worth...maybe it's just a culmination of stuff (including this). I honestly, seriously, believe we all experience depression as humans in a modern complex world that stresses us out at every turn (no matter how much we keep battering against the rubbish flung at us by chance and circumstance and the other gods of tease) to varying degrees. Indeed, I think none of us are entirely sane all of the time..and I think if we were it would show a total lack of awareness. In fact, there would be something wrong with you if you were thrilled to bits at the joy that is life...you'd be nuts..deluded. So, I reckon being able to recognise...hold on..something's less than great right now...demonstrates intelligence and a functioning mind. Many turn to drugs, alcohol and other destructive behaviours to control anything they can..but it always controls them instead. So, I reckon it's just another kind of depression, but maybe fuelled by the drugs involved, the chemical ups and downs of our food and the balance of our levels..on top of the fact that we aren't in control as much as we want to be. Not much use to you..sorry. What I'm saying is..there's other drugs, there's GPs, there's counselling, there's a myriad of self-help rubbish, there's a forest of books, a deluge of theories to drown us...reality is...we have diabetes and only one thing will help at all..us...me..you..ourselves...by taking as much control of it as we can..its all we have...but it can sometimes work... In short, mate...I'm saying..hang in, fight, push, get there...sometimes too much research sets us on a track we are better avoiding. Solutions are interesting concepts we consider while we get on with life. You don't sound desperate enough to me to be calling a doctor, and you seem way too clued up to be writing yourself off...so..all I ave...sorry..is keep going and get there. I hope you're not offended. I just wanted to reply. Sometimes (ok usually) I don't know when to shut up. Good luck. Paul

I have had a few instances where it just got all too much, the last time it lasted for around 6 weeks and no matter what I did I couldnt get back on track. Thankfully I was able to pick myself up and get back on track but I still slip up every now and again but it only lasts for a couple of days instead of weeks. What made it difficult was the fact that I knew it was having a negative effect on everything in my life, especially my eating but I just couldnt pull myself out of the rut. In the end I sat down and worked out a plan of what I wanted to achieve and I slowly started ticking them off. It was slow progress but it worked.

Hi @Oslo, so sorry to hear of your 'self destruction' but here is a good and helpful link that may help. Also, try to seek help and advice from your GP or DSN, take care and I hope 2016 will be a more positive year for you.

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

Best wishes RRB

Hi. I don't like the term 'burn-out' as it has no real meaning. A lot of those with diabetes at some time or other suffer depression and this may need counselling if it continues. I work with the mental health charity, Mind, and know that they can provide a lot of help. There are other organisations that can help. Do see the GP if it continues. Can you let us know if there are specific aspects of your diabetes that are causing you concern.

Oslo said:

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the response and you've given me some food for thought. After having had a look round the Internet about this it struck me that you are right that there is a lot of information to consider if not tote point of being overwhelming. Perhaps it is simply down to increased control over the diabetes instead of it control controling me

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Hi - getting informed, experimenting with diet and testing and recording all helped put me in control. it' still a pain in the ass like..but...well..in control or controlled....one will be more difficult to handle internally than the other. The low carb diet really made the difference for me. Take care, pal.

Hi Oslo
You don't say how long you've been diabetic, but I've had it 40 years and it's horribly present daily isn't it? I do sympathise. I was lucky enough to have a type 1 dad ( he probably doesn't see it as lucky ) so from being 7 to 23 I had someone to swap silly stories with, moan with and generally laugh at people's ignorance! I'm now married and have to be aware that my family aren't like dad, it's not their job to listen to me ranting so where do I go? I'm not keen on support groups as I don't want to be identified as just bring a diabetic, friends are good but again how can you expect their complete understanding? I've spent time like you getting depressed, worrying about the future, feeling lonely, hating well behaved diabetics then eating half a bag of jelly babies for the hell of it ! All I can say is the best thing I've done this year is find myself a good diabetes specialist nurse. The consultants vary in approach, from frosty to a bit dismissive but I've found the nurses to be fantastic. She sat and listened while I sobbed and ranted, and said I'd had enough. She said it was ok and told me stories of other people fighting the same battle. I came out feeling drained but not so lonely. Do you have a nurse? I didn't until a month ago and she's lovely. I see her every week now, not just for clinical stuff but to talk and have a laugh about how the media are blaming us for the collapse of the NHS ! Apologies for going on, I do sympathise and have done the 2 a.m 'what's the bloody point' sessions too. You're not alone. XXXX

Oslo said:

Hi Daibell, Thanks for the comment. I went to see my GP about six weeks ago as I knew something wasn't right and after a friend of mine commented they had noticed a change in my behaviour and I was not nice to be around. GP was nice enough but got the impression they didn't really get what I was trying to say, when she offered me medication I just switched off and came away, not keen on drugs if I can really help it. My concern with the diabetes is the futility, the older I get the problems start manifesting. I know the damm thing is going to get me In the end so what's the point ?? And yet I go and get help from the diabetic nurse and am keen for a couple of weeks to get HBA1c in control only to fall back int the rut !! Also, until I found this forum, I felt/feel the diabetes isolated me, does that make sense?

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Hi again. If you can keep the blood sugar under control with the right insulin regime and, of course discipline, then the diabetes won't get you in the end - it will be something else. This forum which I've been on for years now is an excellent source of information and support - both to give and to take. If you do have Local Mind Association or similar charity, do ask the GP to refer you or you can self-refer.

Hi Oslo. Your last comment was heartbreaking as its so similar to my situation. About 15 years ago my gp said I was 'out of control ' and I'd get complications. After that I began to self district. I'd been a good kid, teenager but I needs a holiday from it. Anyway, the isolation you talk about got the better of me and I went from being a people person to an introvert. The gp prescribed Prozac hooch luckily I flushed down the toilet. I had a month off work but still get periods of despair that I find hard, as its hard to put a front on daily isn't it? Thing is people who have one drink too many, people on a diet who cheat, people with a credit card, people in massive debt, people who shouldn't smoke, people who shouldn't gamble are 'naughty' sometimes and it's socially acceptable. When is our night or hour off or allowance to be 'naughty'? There's a general belief by doctors that we have to have self control, so why do the rest of the population not have to be so strict? Is it any wonder we blow ?!!! I try to surround myself with people who make me happy, to be able to get out of myself by listening to other people's problems because I'm in danger of becoming obsessed.? I've been off sick for a fortnight while I was diagnosed with neuropathy. It was only when I started to get out again and talk to strangers I realised that my life is good in lots of ways, even if my health isn't. Take care xxxxx

Hi Oslo. I'm in Halifax, well a very wet Hebden Bridge and it's done me loads of good to help out ( my house is just out of the flood zone ) and I've not had chance to dwell at all. Met lots of lovely people too X

Wow this is familiar...... I'm a teacher and have run high for years because of it. I've tried to tell the consultant that I can't really leg it in the middle of a lesson if I'm feeling weird, but they all seem to think I should. I'm too proud to involve others who don't understand, no matter how well meaning. I never do tests, my jab etc in public because it makes people wince and I can't bear the barrage of badly informed comments. I'm like you in that if I have told people, they've treated me differently and even though I've had it from the age of 7 I've had everything from them laying a protective hand over the biscuits in case I go mental and eat them, to being asked if I need a biscuit if I crack a joke ! I squirrel myself away to do the lot, because people don't get it and why should they? The diabetic nurse was a bit gobsmacked when I said I use toilets to inject and test, treat hypos etc. I said if she could come up with a space that wasn't marked freak I'd probably find it ( oooooh makes you bitter eh? ). So unless you want to involve your colleagues, who'll happily tell you what they've gleaned from the Daily Mail, what to do? I work with another type 1 who tells everyone, regularly has episodes of drama in the staff room and discusses her regime with anyone she can catch, so much so that I was told after her last 'do' that my diabetes can't be as bad. Ha ha gotta laugh ! I've lived in fear of it getting me eventually too, but found out I had neuropathy this month and after a bit of hurling furniture around at home, have got on with it and although it's not what I'd like theirs loads of advice on here and it's not as bad as I'd feared. I've always maintained that diabetes is the only disease where you're left to get on 364 days of the year, then told off on the 365th. It's the only one I know of where you don't rely on the doctor to control your drugs and passively take them, so is it any wonder when we get it wrong we're angry and guilty? Being in charge is hard work when the consequences are so boringly predicable. Chin up, sounds like you're experiencing a common phenomena and just avoid 'perfect' diabetics who always get it right - they're bad for you xxxx