Diabetes burnout
A build-up of diabetes distress can tip into periods of “diabetes burnout” where a person with diabetes might start to avoid self-management tasks for more significant periods of time; this then has the potential to impact upon their physical health.
People with diabetes burnout often recognise the importance of caring for their diabetes, but feel unable to make any changes.
Diabetes burnout is different to depression. Whilst depression (click here for more information) causes a person to have negative thoughts about themselves, others, and a sense of hopelessness about the future, diabetes burnout is associated with thoughts and feelings specifically about diabetes. The individual may not seem particularly low in mood to the outside world. It can happen at any age although the longer you have had diabetes, the more prone you are to feeling burnt out.
Thoughts
- My diabetes is out of control
- I can’t be bothered
- My diabetes controls everything
- No one understands what it is like to live with diabetes
- I am alone
- Nothing will work to improve my diabetes
Feelings
- Angry
- Overwhelmed
- Defeated
- Frustrated
- Worried
- Sad
- Helpless
- Unmotivated
Behaviours
- Avoiding diabetes-related tasks like glucose monitoring and carb counting
- Avoiding healthcare appointments
- Stopping giving insulin
- Doing nothing
- Unhealthy eating
- Risk-taking behaviours
Click on the items below for more information:
No Result
Diabetes burnout has many different causes and triggers, and people may identify several reasons that have built up over time (think back to the stress bucket). Here are some examples:
- reduction or stopping of usual diabetes management (e.g., missing healthcare appointments, avoid checking glucose levels, less healthy eating)
- higher glucose levels leading to increasing HbA1C
- more frequent and severe hypoglycaemia
- feeling ashamed, angry, low in mood, or anxious
- difficulties within personal relationships (e.g., with family and friends)
- impaired quality of life
- it is a relatively new concept, and they may not be aware of it
- diabetes is often managed medically, and conversations might focus on blood test results, not emotions related to diabetes
- some healthcare professionals might feel they do not have the right skills to support people if they open up a conversation about emotions and diabetes
- appointments are time-limited, and you may both avoid talking about what it means to live with diabetes if it seems there is not enough time
Hover over this image of Faizah to see her advice on diabetes burnout.
Naomi
Is there anything I could do to help myself?
Support from an appropriately trained healthcare professional can be really helpful for people with diabetes distress or burnout. But there are many self-help actions you can take, both to overcome and also reduce your likelihood of experiencing burnout. Click on the items below to find some ideas, with links to worksheets that you might find helpful:
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Where can I get support if I am worried about diabetes distress or burnout?
 | Diabetes UK is a national charity that supports individuals with diabetes and their families or carers. It can be contacted online, over the phone, or by post (https://diabetes.org.uk / 0345 123 2399). |
| | Some diabetes teams have a psychologist who may be able to offer support – ask your team if this service is available where you live |
| Talk to another healthcare professional who you trust, like your GP, for example |
| | Talk to a healthcare professional on your diabetes team—your consultant, diabetes specialist nurse, or diabetes specialist dietitian, for example. As a helpful way to start the conversation, you could consider completing a diabetes distress questionnaire (like the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire) and taking it to your next appointment. |
| | Talk to another healthcare professional whom you trust, like your GP, for example |
What things have you found helpful through your life with diabetes to manage diabetes distress and burnout?
Read about other people’s experiences and share your own here:
Go to ‘Diabetes distress and burnout’ to return to the main topic page, or choose another section.
So much to think about :/
Great, lots of information.
I filled in a questionnaire at my Diabetes clinic and was offered face to face
appointments with the psychologist. I was extremely helpful.
Similar to others, when going through this module I have felt very emotional and tearful. Although my consultant used the term ‘diabetes distress’ I have tended to minimise the issue and haven’t really been acknowledging to myself how much it has all been affecting me. I do meet a lot of the criteria which are described in this section, for both diabetes distress and diabetes burnout. I find it hard to admit this. Compared to so many of you who have had diabetes your whole lives, I feel like you would have much more reason for being burnt out whereas I have been lucky enough to live 54 years without it and to have all this amazing technology to help since I was diagnosed only three years ago – but am still finding it so difficult.
read
Having had type 1 diabetes for thirty years I really can’t think of a time when I have suffered from diabetic stress or burnout. I guess that’s just me, it is was it is and I will constantly try to manage the condition as best I can with the help of my consultant and team. It is good that these feelings are being recognised, and hopefully those who seem to be suffering ( a lot of the time in silence ) may seek or find the help they require and realise it’s ok not to be ok. I do hope those affected can find and learn to talk about their emotions regarding having the condition.
I can deal with diabetes on a personal level but find people around me think I am making a fuss about nothing when I mention I have to eat or I am monitoring my sugar levels.
This module has made me feel very emotional, as have the all so far! Diabetic stress and burnout are very new terms to me and in my life when perhaps going through these I’ve not had support maybe needed to cope with this and it’s affected my life very negatively. As mentioned it’s relatively new concept so I’m sure the support will be there in the future should I need plus I have some new awareness & knowledge 😊 about it.
interesting
Never thought about burnout stress but it’s always there. You just have to get back on with it now I know it exists should make it easier
I was diagnosed at 29 now 58 this is the first time of hearing about distress and burnout. I’ve always dealt with everything myself, I’ve suffered with both many times over the years, but my daughter the one I rely on to bring me back to earth, when I want to give up on living. I know now that others have the same thoughts and problems and I will now ask for help.
Realizing others have the same difficulties has made me feel more positive that a change can be made.
I’m going to speak to my consultant at my appointment about diabetic burn out. As i went through this module i actually started crying as i have all these feeling and i realise now its not just me being stupid and not being able to cope others go through to and the doctor may understand as i have been avoiding seeing them because of it. Im starting to feel better about it now.
It can be emotional dealing with diabetes, sometimes you feel very alone through it and sometimes its hard to talk to people, mainly I am a very positive person but I do understand the concept of Diabetes burnout/distress, it definitely new as this is the first time I have heard about it in my 34 years of being type 1
Talking to health care professionals or loved ones really helps. Just someone listening validates what you are feeling