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Living with type one diabetes and studying medicine-stress and depression

M

michellejl

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello! I have been studying medicine for 2 years now and I the last year have been struggeling with my mental health togeheter with living with diabetes and studying... Is there anyone else out there who would like to chat and discuss how you cope with it.. it would be very helpful, I just feel so lonely and stressed and I feel like no one understands...
 
Well all the best to you but. I think you should be looking after yourself first before even thinking about lookingafter other people (which you would be if in medicine).ave you ever though of an other carrer If not, maybe time to do so.
 
Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Are you living away from home studying? This can feel a bit isolated if you left people like good friends behind to study elsewhere.
Higher BGs can also be a catalyst with negative thoughts. How is your general management?
 
And even after qualifying you would still have the stress of Type 1 and in medicine as well.(You do not say which branch of medicine). So time to sit down really and decide what you want to really do.Look after yourself or struggle on and on.Nobody can really ever look after other people until they decide to love themselves first otherwise I think it could be too much of a sacrife.
 
My heart goes out to you. I feel even more sad reading the replies. People here are low on empathy and great on giving their harsh opinions and advice. Sure, many of the things they said may be factually true but not supportive or consoling for you. It’s extremely hard. I wonder if you have other medical condition. I wonder if study with friends helps? Then again it may be tough if friends are not understanding and supportive and you have to compete with able bodied classmates. I don’t know how to help you exc to say that I understand and empa and send hugs. For me, I first developed Me /cfs, fibromyalgia and if that’s not enough, I battled cancer. I recently had a dka and and I can’t tolerate insulin and it’s causing me severe stomach pains. I live isolated in a very abusive environment and no one cares. My own mother abuses me. Prior to my dka, she would tell me to kilo myself, how she hates me and prays for me to die everyday. She was ok for 5 days after my dka but she’s back with her leopard spots. Worst still I moved to this country to be with her many years ago, so I don’t have any childhood or good friends or any friends for that matter. When I was at University, I worked 4-5 jobs to support myself and get my Masters. All lost ! i often don’t have appropriate meals to eat as she grudges looking after me. Previously I could survive on quick snacks which are often carbs. I’m trying to eat low carb and healthy but don’t have the support. Diabetes, on top of everything else is the last straw. If you’re studying, I assume you are still young and not a mature aged student ( I may be wrong). Try and find some solutions. Consider if a counsellor for support would be helpful for you. Can you take a break from studies ( defer for a short break to re- group ) or do part time ( not always suitable in medical school, I know). If you don’t have other severe illnesses like me, try to find solutions. Geez, I don’t know what to say. I know your reaching here was an attempt to find a solution and while I care deeply and felt bad for you reading the other non supportive replies, I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.
 
There can sometimes be regrets later down the line when making potentially life changing decisions deviating from initial ambition on a “low ebb.”

Life’s journey can involve a range of emotions, from experience I managed to reverse a “snap decision” I made many many years ago.
But why double the effort when you don’t need to..
Finding a solution whilst still in the placement with current access to whatever opportunity could save further anxiety. (Rather than the what ifs with “second best?)
 
May I say something? If someone is abuses you, you don't have to continue communicating, even if it's your mother. If you haven't had friends, it's never too late to make them. And if you are not coping with something, you have the right to ask for help. There are really a lot of good people in the world, but your message sounds like you stopped believing it. If you think it's easy for me to say that because I'm doing well, then you're wrong
 
medicine is such a difficult field to study that anyone will have stress even without diabetes. I hope you're going to be okay. Don't take your mental health lightly, depression is a disease, not just sadness, and it's better for a doctor to deal with it with any disease (well, you know that without me, if you study medicine). Mental hugs to you from me! You're cool for not giving up!
 
Hi Michelle, I'm sorry that you are feeling so low.
Universities (at least in the UK) have confidential medical services for students. You may have already contacted yours but, if not, it will be worth a go.
 
Whilst I didn’t study medicine I did study whilst having diabetes and depression. Both mixed together with the stress of studying/exams/written assignments was probably one of the hardest periods of my life. Everything combined together just made life very overwhelming, in the end my diabetes did suffer and I ended up with a very poor Hba1c. Not sure how your diabetes control is but poor control can definitely lower your overall mood.

A couple of things helped me, I firstly let my teachers know that I was struggling and I was given extra time/help and was referred to the schools medical services for any other assistance. Most universities will be very understanding especially as studying is stressful and having medical conditions to contend with as well isn’t helpful. I also spoke to my doctors/nurses and explained I was struggling, they were extremely helpful and referred me to a diabetes psychologist although even just a general psychologist would be good, the amount of help they gave me to be able to cope with both my diabetes and studying was amazing and even though it’s now been a couple of years since I seen my psychologist I still use some of their tips/tricks to this day.

You’re doing the right thing by firstly admitting you are struggling and need help and that’s a big first step for anyone with mental health struggles. It does get better and you will find ways to cope and live with everything that life throws at you, it’s definitely not easy and I really do sympathise as I’ve struggled for years with mental health and diabetes. Don’t be afraid to take breaks where you need them.
 
A personal friend of mine who is clinically depressed copes by helping other people, often in stressful situations. It is partly the sense of identity and purpose in life, but also the chance to pour out their internal love for others which eases the problem. In addition it alleviates periods of prolonged inactivity which would otherwise add to the depression.
 
I agree with Grant V in saying we need a purpose in life. But who is another person to really judge unless they have Type 1 diabetes themselves. What I am saying is she could find anothdr purpose like helping other people with Type 1.
 
Maybe in time we will have a reply from Michellejl. After the different advice that has been given it will be her own decision in the end.
 
Being a doctor is a very stressful career, which may or may not suit someone, whether or not they are T1. I think it's too easy to assume that it's a good idea just because you have the difficult to achieve academic ability. There's no shame in choosing a different path if you wish, but I don't think that T1 is necessarily a reason for that path. (I would love to have a T1 endocrinologist, the nearest I've managed is a T1 dentist). I agee with the suggestion that you seek help from your university counselling services, useful whatever degree you are doing.
 
Aishia said:
But who is another person to really judge
Click to expand...
Exactly.
So if medicine is what she wants to pursue, why would you keep telling her it's not for her?
I'm finding it quite uncomfortable how you keep suggesting her chosen study isn't the right choice for her. Maybe it isn't and maybe it is, there is no way for us to know.

Her question was on how others cope with the dual stress of diabetes and a demanding study, she didn't ask if she should stop her study, like you feel she should do.
In my country, we have advisors at university who's job is to talk with students who are having problems in study and life, which is often connected.
My friend is such an advisor, and she has regular chats with some of the students at the university she works at.
The issues are wide n range, going from housing problems interfering with studying to students with a depression, and from having a hard time planning and organising studying because of adhd to needing a hand on how to cope with group projects while also being on the autism spectrum.
A struggling student with diabetes and mental health issues would be a perfect candidate for her to have a chat with and see how things could be made better to manage.

Can you find out if your university has someone like that?
I have no idea if this is usual in other countries.
 
Antje77 said:
In my country, we have advisors at university who's job is to talk with students who are having problems in study and life, which is often connected.
Click to expand...
I spoke to just such a person when I was at London University, and she was a definite help both with serious T1 problems and mental health.
 
I am not sure you understand what it is like having Type 1 diabetes or what it is like studying a complex subject but wanting to achieve in your chosen career.
It is definitely possible to work in medicine with Type 1 diabetes - I have met successful nurses, doctors, paramedics and pharmacists with Type 1. They are all very good because they have empathy (they know what it is like to have a chronic disease) and they are very organised (having Type 1 means you need to think ahead).
There is no reason why Type 1 diabetes should stop someone achieving their goals in life. The should not have to chose a different career path. Doing so would be sacrificing yourself to diabetes.

@michellejl I am sorry you are struggling. If you are based in the UK, You may get some assistance from the charity, Diabetes UK. They have a helpline with both a phone number and email address. They may be able to put you in touch with others.

Talk to us about diabetes​

0345 123 2399​

support.forum@diabetes.org.uk
 
@michellejl As type 1's, it takes constant work. But really it's how you handle it that can make all the difference. It's extra stressful, it can get you down, especially when you try and your body doesn't respond like it should. But many people succeed and do amazing things. Whatever you choose to do, you pretty much can accomplish it if you want it enough. Don't expect perfect control while you are stressed, just accept you are doing the best you can.

Type 1 doesn't have to hold you back. My last endo was a type 1 and she purposely went to school to become a doctor and an endo to help her mother and others out there. She was an amazing wealth of knowledge and always was trying the latest tech and because of her experience with being a type 1 and her experience as an endo she really helped the type 1 community. She is the one that at my first appointment that decided to test me for being a type 1 and I was finally diagnosed right after 8 years.

Whatever field you decide to go into, your special knowledge you will bring will help other type 1's, but also people that have to live with chronic diseases. Med school is not easy for anyone, I commend you for even choosing to try. And I have every confidence you will succeed as you will be extra motivated to do so. Don't forget the why and get help if you need it. You're allowed.
 
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