4 Common Diabetes-Related Fears People Have and How to Overcome Them

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, and over the past few decades, its prevalence has reached epidemic proportions. It impacts the physical, mental, and social well-being of the person. While there are numerous guidelines available online on the medical aspect of diabetes management, there is not much information on addressing the patient’s psychological needs.

Research suggests that many diabetes patients develop phobic disorders, which is essentially being afraid of something. Managing such patients can be challenging, and it requires paying close attention to their medical and psychological needs. Listed below are a few common diabetes-related fears that people with diabetes develop and tips to overcome them.

4 Common Diabetes for Diabetes people

Fear of Needles

The problem

Many people fear needles, but for some diabetes patients, the fear can be extreme, and they cannot bear the thought of getting an injection. Medical experts suggest that such patients take a longer time to recover, and it requires tremendous mental training to help them take their injections.

How to overcome

The best way to deal with the issue is to learn relaxation techniques such as taking a few deep breaths before taking the injection. Generally, medical experts work closely with such patients to create a ‘fear hierarchy’ and help them take a series of actions to gradually overcome fear.

Fear of developing long-term complications

The problem

Many diabetes patients face the risk of developing long-term health issues, which, in some cases, can make the patient become fearful of not being able to stop the complications. Thankfully, advanced medical treatments mean that people with diabetes are less likely to develop serious complications. Additionally, you can keep your blood sugar under control by eating the right things and following a workout routine every day.

How to overcome

So, if you or anyone in your family has this fear, it is important to constantly remind yourself/them that taking one simple step towards healthy living can reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Fear of Doctors

The problem

A few people fear visiting the doctor mainly because they feel they are a ‘bad’ patient when they receive a poor test result or when they feel they cannot disagree with what the doctors say about their health. Often this leads to avoiding the diabetes check-up, which in turn can aggravate the condition.

How to overcome

If you resonate with this fear, you can deal with it in two ways. First, always visit the doctor with someone who you trust and confide in. The other person can speak to the doctor on your behalf and let the doctor know about your opinions on health conditions in a better way.

Second, do your research well about diabetes to ask relevant questions about your condition and understand the information provided by the doctor in a better way. Being well-informed will also make you feel relaxed and confident during your next meeting with the doctor.

Fear of Hypoglycemia

The problem

Diabetes patients tend to get anxious about hypoglycemia, a condition in which the blood sugar level is lower than normal. The fear is more when  a hypo attack  occurs at night. Often, people who fear hypoglycemia try to keep their blood sugar levels too high to avoid hypos or restrict certain activities that increase risk.

How to Overcome

First and foremost, you must realise that you need not be overly fearful about hypos to the point that it causes anxiety. It is advisable to speak to your doctor about how you feel when hypoglycemia occurs. They may recommend drugs to prevent such occurrences and teach you quick techniques to bring your hypoglycemia under control.

Conclusion

Diabetes treatment requires as much focus on the psychological aspect as you focus on the medical aspect. You can easily manage your fears by making healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, diet control, and engaging in stress-relieving activities. But, above all, don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.

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