Emotional health and diabetes

Managing diabetes is an ongoing and often challenging task, which can be wearing on our emotional health too.

At times we can feel overwhelmed by the focus on counting calories, or counting steps, monitoring numbers, and monitoring for complications. It is not surprising that managing diabetes is linked with increased mental health challenges too. Feeling stressed, anxious, low, or depressed will make self-management of any long-term condition more difficult.

It is increasingly recognised that self-management of diabetes includes the mind as well as the body, and there are many resources available to help us stay psychologically well.

Getting support for mental health is important in achieving better glycaemic control, as well as improving our enjoyment of life. It can be helpful to think of the different types of support as steps. Read below to work out which step may best suit your needs.