Living with a complex, chronic health condition like type 1 diabetes (T1D) is complicated, expensive, and burdensome. Most people live long, happy, healthy, and satisfying lives with T1D, yet there is a large body of evidence that mental health concerns and behavioral challenges are common, and interfere with self-management, quality of life, and health. At the same time, there are not enough professionals who have knowledge of the complex interplays between diabetes and psychosocial factors to meet the needs of the large and growing population of people with T1D, and their families.
To help address this gap, the Type 1 Diabetes Mental Health Workbook was created to provide a concise, practical resource for mental health clinicians and therapists to use in their care of young people with T1D. The workbook is divided into eight sections:
Overview of T1D
Language and communication about T1D
Challenges associated with a new T1D diagnosis
Approaches to addressing T1D self-management challenges
Emotions associated with T1D
Mood concerns and T1D
T1D-related worries and anxiety
Additional considerations
Chapter 5: Emotions Associated with T1D Available to Purchase
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Published:2023
"Emotions Associated with T1D", Type 1 Diabetes Mental Health Workbook: A Practical Resource for Providing Behavioral and Mental Health Support to Young People with Type 1 Diabetes, and Their Families
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Many aspects of T1D, including glycemic variability throughout the day can trigger negative emotions. A particularly difficult aspect of blood glucose variability is physiologic mood symptoms that mimic depressed mood, such as irritability, lethargy, and difficulty concentrating, in addition to frustration and worry. Other negative emotions related to high or low blood glucose include frustration, self-blame, and failure.
T1D devices were developed to help a person manage glucose, but they may be perceived by some youth to be burdensome because of the constant need to carry supplies. Other sources of burden include painful site changes, need to refill or replace supplies, device malfunctions, and sleep disruptions. Many children feel self-conscious about wearing devices, especially when they are visible on the body, with increased feelings of stigma occurring for some individuals with T1D. Children and parents may feel like their lives “revolve around T1D,” which can lead to diabetes distress, burnout, depression, and anxiety (see the Mood concerns and T1D chapter). Difficulties managing emotions are associated with suboptimal self-management, glycemic variability, and higher A1C. Developing coping strategies to manage emotions in response to T1D demands promotes better quality of life and T1D outcomes. In addition, negative emotions about T1D extend beyond the person with T1D to family members, and may increase A1C.
