Type 1 Health Anxiety - Therapy

[emily deacon]

Hey everyone.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, mainly health anxiety which i think stems a lot from having type 1 diabetes. I’ve had it for 9 years now but i think the older i get the more anxious it makes me about my health. I’m looking into seeing a therapist about this because it’s not healthy the way my thoughts run away with me. Has anyone ever gone through similar situations because i worry if i get a therapist that doesn’t know a lot about diabetes i wonder if they could help? or is there diabetic therapists out there that are easy to contact?

Help or advise would be grateful thank you!!

 

[Juicyj]

Hi Emily - I get totally what you mean it’s easy to feel anxious with living with type 1 and it can be really over whelming at times, have you tried meditation at all ? It’s a more accessible way to help manage anxiety than counselling and you can start today, I exercise which helps relax me when things get too much, also @MeiChanski may have some useful tips as she’s having counselling too.

I think the most important part of living with diabetes is simply being kind to yourself and not beating yourself up when big levels aren’t in range, also taking it one day at a time as it’s easy to get over whelmed with the big picture, best wishes J

 

[MeiChanski]

Hello, Thanks for the tag @Juicyj
I initially went to my GP because I wasn’t sleeping due to the fear of hypos. It happened in the past where I needed an ambulance. From there, I wasn’t sleeping and I was testing more than 8 times a day. My GP said to call this service’s numbers to self refer myself for therapy. I called, I received a telephone interview a week later, then I waited over 2 months to see a clinical psychologist about diabetes. Which was a department upstairs from my diabetes centre at the hospital. Your diabetes team can refer you as well because they know long term health conditions like diabetes does play a role mentally.
My therapist so far has told me to write down the bad events, rated my mood, write the assumptions in that situation and behaviour changes, then used the question “was this thought helpful or benefitted me in any way?” Or “what would my best friend say?/ “what advice would you give to your best friend if she or he was in this situation?” - this is to look at things in a different perspective. Lastly write down things that you are grateful each day, I did find this difficult to do, especially I was so fixated on the negative situation or my feelings.

I would double up on being kind to yourself. We aren’t perfect, diabetes is unpredictable and we won’t let it take over. I eat my hypo treatments or do my corrections and get on with my day.

 

[Goonergal]

Hi @emily deacon

I’ve not had therapy in relation to diabetes, but did see a therapist for many years, which initially started after a referral from my GP due to my migraines. I’d say that for me it didn’t matter that the therapist had no experience of migraines or some of my other medical/food related issues. It was the non-judgemental approach and space to explore with someone who was on ‘my side’ (even when I couldn’t see that was the case) that was important. It’s a very personal relationship so you need to find someone you gel with.

Do you know anyone locally who could make a recommendation?

 

[lollyann1]

Hey everyone.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, mainly health anxiety which i think stems a lot from having type 1 diabetes. I’ve had it for 9 years now but i think the older i get the more anxious it makes me about my health. I’m looking into seeing a therapist about this because it’s not healthy the way my thoughts run away with me. Has anyone ever gone through similar situations because i worry if i get a therapist that doesn’t know a lot about diabetes i wonder if they could help? or is there diabetic therapists out there that are easy to contact?

Help or advise would be grateful thank you!!

You may be able to be referred by your GP to an organisation called 'Time to Talk'. They have therapists who specialise in helping people with their Diabetes issues

 

[Xeo]

Hey everyone.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, mainly health anxiety which i think stems a lot from having type 1 diabetes. I’ve had it for 9 years now but i think the older i get the more anxious it makes me about my health. I’m looking into seeing a therapist about this because it’s not healthy the way my thoughts run away with me. Has anyone ever gone through similar situations because i worry if i get a therapist that doesn’t know a lot about diabetes i wonder if they could help? or is there diabetic therapists out there that are easy to contact?

Help or advise would be grateful thank you!!

 

[Xeo]

There are psychologists with diabetes specialists knowledge which will understand the condition. I should check with diabetes specialist to see if one available in your area. Tell you specialist it is impacting your everyday life. Hope this helps.

 

[DCUKMod]

Emily - I don't know where you are or where your diabetes team are based, but I do know in our local diabetes centre, here, there is a psychologist attached to it.

I guess it might take a little longer to see a psychologist with solid T1 knowledge, but that's my speculation. Maybe as your diabetes team what they know of?

 

[bkr]

I'm sorry to hear that, and hope some advice from the lovely people on here can help.
Anxiety is awful, I get it quite a bit over the course of a week, I think mainly social but it does stress me out like a catch 22. I know type 1 & type 2 folks that have it.
For me, I do find L-theanine helps, st johns wart, these types of herbs & supplements do take the edge off my overactive mind
Stay strong, have faith x

 

[Route 66]

Sorry to hear that you are suffering.

Following a heart attack early last year and a diagnosis of diabetes, I started to suffer from health related anxiety and panic attacks.

My GP suggested that I self refer to the Wellbeing Service, which I did.

Following a couple of consultations over the phone, I started to see a psychologist every week. Although she had no specialist knowledge of diabetes or cardio, she was very knowledgeable of both and after seeing her for 12 weeks, I felt much better. They then give you a contact number should you need them again. Luckily I havn't.

Have a look at the following for details

https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/services/community-services/wellbeing-service/

This is for Hertfordshire residents but it is available in many counties in the UK.

Hope you soon feel better.

By the way - There is no charge for the service.

 

[Jasper27]

Hey everyone.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, mainly health anxiety which i think stems a lot from having type 1 diabetes. I’ve had it for 9 years now but i think the older i get the more anxious it makes me about my health. I’m looking into seeing a therapist about this because it’s not healthy the way my thoughts run away with me. Has anyone ever gone through similar situations because i worry if i get a therapist that doesn’t know a lot about diabetes i wonder if they could help? or is there diabetic therapists out there that are easy to contact?

Help or advise would be grateful thank you!!

Hi I am a type diabetic of 30 years and went to a therapist at the Diabetic centre I get diabetic burnout alot..depression and anxiety the last bout being brought on by a nasty incident of losing my insulin in Portugal, thought I was going to die as they kept prescribing the wrong insulin despite me showingthe Portuguese Drs my prescription I was then diagnosed with osteo arthritis and Fybromyalga so was in constant pain. The level 2 therapist was lovely and taught me how to relax and mindfulness we got on well for 6 months then I was escalated to a level 3 therapist and what a difference, I just could not relate to her , she asked unrelated questions about my childhood and relationships none of this was related to my illness and so after only 3 sessions I decided to no longer carry on with my sessions so I would say yes therapists can help but it depends on whether you get on with them. I attended the pain management clinic last summer who taught me tai chi..this was great for vlearing your mind if negative thoughts and relaxing, certainly helped me. Yhe fear of hypos, the feeling fed up of libing life as mathematical equation..ie insulin ratios basal and bolus and the constant worry of complications never goes away but if you can learn to try and accept, live life and enjoy life and relax things should get better.

 

[lollyann1]

Hey everyone.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, mainly health anxiety which i think stems a lot from having type 1 diabetes. I’ve had it for 9 years now but i think the older i get the more anxious it makes me about my health. I’m looking into seeing a therapist about this because it’s not healthy the way my thoughts run away with me. Has anyone ever gone through similar situations because i worry if i get a therapist that doesn’t know a lot about diabetes i wonder if they could help? or is there diabetic therapists out there that are easy to contact?

Help or advise would be grateful thank you!!

Hi at times, but not very often, I can tend to worry what my blood sugar is. I am Type 3C (Pancreatic). I am going to the local Wellbeing Centre to see if they can help. They do have a good reputation. Good luck