Does the proliferation of technology, information and forums encourage obsession?

I have also been thinking about this recently @tim2000s

I've used CGM for 4 years due to losing all hypo awareness and as a means to warn me of impending hypos and protect me it is a priceless technology. However, it has made me slightly obsessive with the impact every type of food, activity ,illness has on me. As I suffered from anorexia in my 20's I worry that I am veering towards this type of control again, trying too hard sometimes to micro manage what happens. I get cross when my lovely in target graph line deviates and feel as if I am failing for only getting 78% of my readings within target.

However, better technology and management does allows us to pursue a healthier life and hopefully avoid too many pitfalls. I can only enjoy the now thanks to the amazing medical technology I have access to and by taking care by all possible means. For me thanks to sight loss and other complications the balance is tipped in favour of diabetes managing me, I can't ignore its impact for any waking moment but technology allows me to address some of that and feel more in control. I'd much rather have too much to help me rather than the lack of any instant information as when I was diagnosed in the 70's.

Information on the web, forums etc has increased my knowledge of different types of diabetes, management techniques and complications I was previously unaware of and given me a bigger picture. It has also caused me to over think a few things but the outcome is that I am much better controlled and a lot more aware of my diabetes. I'll happily take that outcome at the expense of being slightly obsessive.

I think that this does happen and to a lot of people on here.............

I think I have a good understanding of what its needed for good control and do carry it out but I am aware that life needs to be lived and enjoyed also........otherwise what is the point...........

The information around you can be as useful or inhibiting as you let it. I monitor as much as I possibly can in relation to my diabetes. It hasn't taken away from my job as a piano teacher and accompanist. I have only had what I consider 'good' diabetic control for the last year, since starting low carb and keeping a constant eye on things. It's also the year I achieved a lifelong ambition of writing a first draft of a novel.

That said, it's a good idea to keep things in moderation. My wife and I have been making small changes, hopefully for the better. We don't use our phones at meals, or when out socialising. I still definitely check Facebook more than I should, but that's the next challenge . Technology is a fantastic tool, but so is the ability to switch it off sometimes.

In the end, Information is Power. if it is used effectively. And in medical matters. Ignorance can mean Death. Anything can be addictive, and of course one should not obsess about diabetes. But the idea that regulating diabetes means one is obsessing, and missing out on enjoying life, is what I always hear from people whose diabetes is out of control. That is the far more widespread and far more dangerous problem, I feel.

If someone has a tendency towards obsessive behaviour, then they will find an outlet.
It may be diabetes, or controlling behaviour, or birdwatching.

Does the technology encourage this? I don't see how it can.
The obsessive urge comes from within, then uses the tools it finds.
The tools themselves are inert.

On a positive note, I've found that it's good to have that knowledge from the net and forums, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to control my symptoms and cure myself of other health problems I had in the past I've allowed myself to absorb all about it for the first few months to learn more about what works for me. I think others do too. I pop into DCUK forum with my phone app so it's just like sending a regular text message to friends it's good to have people to share your experiences with (because your friends/husband can't understand, unfortunately because they can eat ice cream and sweets lol! ) and having a solid support group.

I'm not sure it encourages obsession, I think some people just 'like to know'.
If someone's glucose levels are running high or you are newly diagnosed then the information can be beneficial and to a certain extent it will benefit them to be obsessive about managing their condition and finding a routine that works. If glucose levels are relatively stable, then fixating on it could potentially give you nightmares!!

Knowledge is power...

I agree with @Brunneria, It's how you use the tools not the tools themselves that can cause obsessive behaviour.

Having said that, I probably test rather more than absolutely necessary (a) because I like to know what's a going on in my body, and (b) I spent the majority of my working life in a job where record keeping was a major part of the job, and it's become second nature... But I neither get upset if my test results are "not good enough" or if I neglect to test occasionally...

Robbity

Personally, I only compare myself to myself.
But I have never mustered an obsessive impulse in my life.

I obviously can't speak for anyone else.

I do find that some days I can get a bit obsessive with the testing. And the comparing to others on here. My rational head says I may not ever have turned in results that low even when a long way off being diabetic but every so often the imp on my shoulder says " not good enough " or " you're not trying hard enough." I value the encouragement and support that instant access to this forum has afforded me, but given I've suffered with OCD and low self -esteem all my life, it has a downside too at times.

No ... I just test to see how I am getting on ... Not getting stressed about the fact I am incontrol

For me - no.
I test regularly and provided BGs are within proscribed parameters then I am happy enough. If not then I check on what I,have been eating, how I am feeling etc. Surest doesn't help at all and with other health problems this is easily achieved.
Just a case of monitoring and managing, and hopefully having good DNS and GP support.

@tim2000s

I occasionally like to look at other people's results to see how they're getting on, but not to compare myself with, as the only results relevant to my diabetes are mine...

I've taken note of the recommended glucose levels here to use as a basis for targets for me to aim for, (or beat!) and do actually sometimes adjust these down (or even up slightly) to help me keep on track. But I've learned over the last 13 months not to beat myself up if I'm struggling a bit, as I've seen that stressing over such things doesn't win my diabetic battles for me.

Robbity

I agree that anything taken to excess can become obsessive. However, people like me who are newly diagnosed and find the world of diabetes a little alarming and confusing at times find these forums invaluable, as is the information given on websites like this one. It is then up to that person to use that information and advise to manage their own condition as we are all individuals and react differently to food, medication etc. I also think you have to have a slightly obsessive nature to allow yourself to become obsessed with diabetes morning noon and night. You are right in saying about the younger ones who can be more easily influenced into thinking it is normal to be obsessional about their condition and if I had a child or young teen I would strictly monitor their behaviour (without them realising) and steer them in the right direction (hopefully)

I don't compare my results with others, my personal battle is with my own control. I get annoyed with myself when I don't meet the targets my pump consultant and I have agreed to work towards. Reading others stories/successes is always interesting but what fuels me is the need to achieve the best control I can for a healthy future.

I've had similar thoughts @tim2000s but I've come to the conclusion that since managing diabetes well (T1 especially) requires unusual discipline and an unnatural focus on controlling levels and measuring quantities etc, it just isn't humanly possible to avoid sometimes being rather obsessive if you want to achieve the best state of health. There is so much information to take in in order to be well informed enough to make the best use of the tools currently available, and then so many calculations that must be done, all day, every day, to apply the tools and information, that it inevitably takes up lots of energy and time whenever you are not just coasting along on automatic.

For many years I worried about my tendency to swing from obsessive focus on multiple tests and 'diabeeting' all day, to being far too slack and not thinking of it at all beyond habitual routines and then not testing enough. I couldn't work out how to find a 'middle way' and castigated myself for that, thinking it was a personality failing - that I had a tendency to OCD, or was trying to deny the issue by not being able to keep focused on it, and that I should be able to fix this. But after 34 years (of pretty good control overall), now that I've been able to read about so many others experiences on forums, I accept that living with Diabetes just IS life that won't continue very happily without effortful control, control which will always seem unnatural and obsessive in comparison with the lives of those free of Diabetes. There's no choice, so no wonder periods of frustrated 'burn out' are common, but another benefit of forums is that we also share the inspiring and reassuring news posted by those who achieve great health, or happiness with their lot, motivating the rest of us to keep at it - managing this relentless condition. It's true that living as spontaneously as others isn't possible, nevertheless opportunities for living in the 'now' continue, as long as we are mindful. Perhaps a moment devoted to 'diabeeting' can be as valid a moment as any other in the day.