Psychological Aspects of The Diabetes

Psychological Aspects of The Diabetes

Diabetes is a type of endocrine disease in which the body is not producing or using insulin in the body. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are over 23.6 million people in the United States who have diabetes. Being diagnosed with diabetes not only changes someone's lifestyle, it also brings about a myriad of feelings and emotions that can be difficult to express or deal with. The key is understanding that these feelings are normal and they generally get better as a diabetic becomes more aware of how to deal with the disease and its effects.

Denial

One major psychological effect of diabetes is experiencing denial. Denial generally forms when the patient is first diagnosed. At first, someone may be overwhelmed with how the disease will affect their life. They are told by their doctor that they may have to take insulin shots, pills and poke their finger several times a day to test blood glucose levels. This can be overwhelming for anyone. They may also be told that they need to completely change their diet and eat healthier. A physician may also say that other health complications could arise such as heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputation as a result from diabetes. They could be in denial about both short term care such as injections and long term aspects such as disease complications. They could temporarily give up in caring for their diabetes and go into denial about having the illness. This can cause serious effects on the body.

Depression

Depression is a common psychological effect of diabetes. This means that the diabetic is sad, confused and may feel helpless about their disease diagnosis. Depression can be a very serious effect and may lead to professional counseling and assistance to help deal with the effects of the disease. Medical help should be sought immediately as depression should not be ignored. Prolonged depression can lead to weakened immunity and lack of physical activity---two main factors that could further affect diabetes.

Anger

Anger is common in many newly diagnosed diabetics. They may hold resentment against others who freely eat sweets and junk food. They may find it unfair that they are stuck having to make such drastic lifestyle choices when others lead the same lifestyle as them and are perfectly healthy. Anger may manifest against others who do not have to follow the same lifestyle changes and habits as they do.

Embarrassment

Some people who are affected by diabetes may experience periods of embarrassment. This a common psychological effect of the disease. The reason for this may be they have to carry around insulin, blood monitoring equipment, syringes or wear an insulin pump. They may feel uncomfortable taking their blood sugar at a restaurant or at school. All of these factors can lead to embarrassment and shame.

Acceptance

Acceptance is often the last phase of psychological distress that is associated with diabetes. The diabetic will eventually come to terms with their disease. They will realize that they have to make healthy lifestyle changes in order to lead a full and productive life. Knowing that they can change the way they eat and take care of themselves will help them live longer and be less likely to encounter diabetes-related health problems.

How children experience diabetes mellitus?

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is for the child usually a serious event. It reacts with his behavior similar to such as in the loss of a relative. First of course is the shock in the foreground. The disease is rejected, and the child is trying to defend themselves against the disease. This is first in aggression.

Then the child has feelings of guilt, depression and will not recognize the existence of his disease. 2/3 Of the children, there is mourning anxiety and social isolation. 1/3 Cause severe psychiatric disorders in the form of depressive mood.

It is important to achieve that the child is taken to a setting, in which it makes the best of his situation. Until then, a successful training can be performed. The child or young person have as possible should get into the situation that it feels abandoned or otherwise, as his same age playmates.

After the child has accepted his illness, the insulin therapy has no further effect on the psyche of the child. Children and young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus had compared to metabolism related children no further psychological abnormalities.