Diabetes League Highlights the Mental Impact of Diabetes

Approximately half of individuals with diabetes (49 percent) report feeling mentally exhausted, and seven out of ten believe that there is insufficient attention given to mental support, according to a survey conducted by the Diabetes League in anticipation of World Diabetes Day on November 14. The organization is urging people to discuss the issue more openly to make the condition more socially acceptable.

                
While medical care for individuals with diabetes may be well-established in our country, the mental aspect remains challenging for those with this condition. This difficulty is not limited to them alone. The survey, encompassing around two thousand Flemish individuals, reveals that seven out of ten parents of children with diabetes also experience mental fatigue, with nine out of ten expressing a need for more psychological guidance. Parents of teenagers, in particular, bear significant mental burdens.

The Diabetes League considers these figures a wake-up call. "The guidance for people with diabetes should not be confined to the medical aspect. Diabetes is a constant presence, 24/7, and cannot be put on pause. This means individuals with diabetes must establish routines, adjust eating patterns, and sometimes even completely overhaul their lifestyles. The psychological aspect often remains underemphasized," explains Inge Everaert, Team Coordinator of the Knowledge Center, Policy, and Research at the Diabetes League.
               


Furthermore, more than a third of respondents (36 percent) express feelings of guilt towards their surroundings due to their diabetes. Approximately sixteen percent admit to being bothered by others perceiving them as inferior because of their condition, and thirty percent fear that diabetes might be a disadvantage in the workplace. By fostering open conversations about the condition, the league hopes to generate greater understanding and support for individuals with diabetes.     Free download  click here