Has anyone experienced major emotional changes since being diagnosed

[ian_mcc]

Hi. I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes 4 years ago and have been managing it with Apidra and Abasaglar injections and in the last couple of years using Libre sensors. I feel that I am managing the condition OK although sometimes I have periods where it's more difficult. Before being diagnosed I was very optimistic and happy person and I now feel that I struggle with anger and depression so much so that I almost feel like two different people, the me before diagnosis and the me after diagnosis. Just before diagnosis my life changed dramatically, moving from living abroad to coming back to the UK, moving from a city life to a village life, moving to a less fulfilling job, and I'm also 52 so I'm smack bang in the middle of mid-life crisis land.

I'm finding it difficult to unpick everything so am really interested if anyone has experienced a huge change in personality and mental health associated with diagnosis? I was prepared for physical difficulties but I wasn't expecting to have such a difference in my emotions. Does this ring true with anyone?

 

[DiabetusDeletus]

Hi. I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes 4 years ago and have been managing it with Apidra and Abasaglar injections and in the last couple of years using Libre sensors. I feel that I am managing the condition OK although sometimes I have periods where it's more difficult. Before being diagnosed I was very optimistic and happy person and I now feel that I struggle with anger and depression so much so that I almost feel like two different people, the me before diagnosis and the me after diagnosis. Just before diagnosis my life changed dramatically, moving from living abroad to coming back to the UK, moving from a city life to a village life, moving to a less fulfilling job, and I'm also 52 so I'm smack bang in the middle of mid-life crisis land.

I'm finding it difficult to unpick everything so am really interested if anyone has experienced a huge change in personality and mental health associated with diagnosis? I was prepared for physical difficulties but I wasn't expecting to have such a difference in my emotions. Does this ring true with anyone?

Hi! I'm a pretty newly diagnosed T1D too! I've only been diabetic for 10 months. and yes! this is a shared experience, though I've struggled with mental health much my life. things were looking up and I was really happy before my diagnosis, even though I expected my diagnosis (I was sick for a good 2/3 months and did my own research) it still hit my like a brick. battling with mental health can be really hard, it's a good idea to reach out to those close to you. there are many resources online for dealing with mental health too! remember that what you've been diagnosed with is a chronic illness, of course it has ups and downs and they do take great effect on your mental health too. getting up and trying to replace an organs function day in and day out is exhausting and fatiguing. don't forget to take time to yourself to just recharge. you got this!

 

[ian_mcc]

Thanks for your support and good luck with dealing with the initial shock of being diagnosed. Stay strong!!

I feel that the psychological of having a chronic illness is not so bad for me. What I'm trying to understand are the effect on my mood the fluctuating blood sugar may have. I had felt my control was good but a recent health visit has helped me tighten up. Like I said, sometimes I feel like a different person .. I want my optimism back again!

 

[DiabetusDeletus]

Thanks for your support and good luck with dealing with the initial shock of being diagnosed. Stay strong!!

I feel that the psychological of having a chronic illness is not so bad for me. What I'm trying to understand are the effect on my mood the fluctuating blood sugar may have. I had felt my control was good but a recent health visit has helped me tighten up. Like I said, sometimes I feel like a different person .. I want my optimism back again!

totally understandable, getting used to the fluctuations based on sugars alone is tiring haha. good luck to you too! highs make me irritable and lows make me sad. it'll be alright though, in the end it's about routine!! keep this thread updated on the path to optimism!