Many people experience considerable distress about having
diabetes and the amount of hands-on management that diabetes
requires. This often includes frustration with the ongoing
obligations of diet, physical activity, blood glucose
monitoring, and taking medicines. Other equally important but
less frequently acknowledged stresses can center around fears
about the future, concerns about complications, difficulties
dealing with caring but potentially intrusive friends and family
members, and keeping up with all of the new drugs, treatment
options, and related recommendations from the diabetes
community. It is no wonder that as a group, people with diabetes
report relatively high levels of personal distress, fatigue,
frustration, anger, burnout, and feelings of poor mood and
depression. Diabetes can feel overwhelming because of the
unending demands of self-management. The distress associated
with diabetes and its management can have an effect on diabetes
itself. For example, several studies have shown that peopl