Diabetic burnout - DAFNE Online

June 11, 2014 21:09

Sharon doodle DAFNE Graduate
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust 15 posts

Hi folks, I have been doing lots of research on diabetic burnout. This occurs in people who have been diabetic for years and get overwhelmed and frustrated by the daily challenges of diabetes.
I have suffered from degrees of this for years and am finally coming to terms with it.

I have set up a Facebook group called 'type 1 diabetic burnout support group'. Come along and find us, we are all there to share experiences and help each other, there are lovely people in the group.

Thanks, Sharon

June 12, 2014 15:45

glen4 DAFNE Graduate
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 46 posts

Diabetic burnout!? I've not heard that before! Could it be a drained/ withdrawn feeling or tiredness from having lots of highs + lows?

June 20, 2014 03:51

HelenP DAFNE Graduate
Queensland Diabetes Centre, Brisbane, QLD 218 posts

Hi Sharon...oh do I get diabetic burnout but it is usually associated with a stretch of difficulty running OK BGs. While things are going smoothly I am OK but when they begin to go haywire (winter for example) I become quite snarky at the whole thing. Fortunately it usually is not too prolonged and I can work my way through it... All the best with the group.

Glen4 I think is is just exhaustion having to deal with what you have to deal with if you are working hard at managing the diabetes. I appreciate that some people think it is all OK and everything is easy but I fight against it! I am told my accommodation of the demands is typically adolescent! I think it has more to do with personality and our coping strategies.

Helen

July 11, 2014 13:49

Phil Maskell DAFNE Graduate
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 194 posts

I get this alot, just naffed off with all the BG tests etc... I am a keen cyclist and the constant BG tests / hypos / gels on the bike, it just gets me down having to do it, plus when high I feel lethargic and can't keep up with the group (which naffs me off), so I give more insulin, then I'm hypo and don't have the energy or too busy eating to keep up!

I guess most diabetics must get this judging by the need for a thread and facebook group. Mentioned it to the GP once, he was shocked that I still felt like this after 30 years, I feel like its because of the 30 years I feel like this.

Phil

July 12, 2014 08:02

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

I usually explain why I feel that way by looking at the 5 stages of grief. We lost something when we were diagnosed and we'll never get it back - we're bound to feel burnout.

The 5 stages are:

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

I think I cycle through at least three regularly. It also explains why we're twice as likely to suffer from depression like most chronic condition sufferers.

I recommend learning about depression and anxiety treatments - particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy taught thinking as this is not a natural skill. It really should be taught as standard at schools imo but most only do it after reaching a point of extreme distress.

I won't be joining the FB group because I have no intention of joining FB again. Good luck with it though.

I will however take this opportunity to recommend the @OurDiabetes community on Twitter; run voluntarily by David Cragg and his team. They run weekly discussions (called "Tweetchats" - explanation here) and I have met some lovely diabetics through it to help me with the isolation that comes with being Type 1 surrounded by non-diabetics. You do not have to be on Twitter to read the latest on the #ourD tag

Take care y'all.

June 11, 2014 21:09 Sharon doodle DAFNE Graduate North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust 15 posts	Hi folks, I have been doing lots of research on diabetic burnout. This occurs in people who have been diabetic for years and get overwhelmed and frustrated by the daily challenges of diabetes. I have suffered from degrees of this for years and am finally coming to terms with it. I have set up a Facebook group called 'type 1 diabetic burnout support group'. Come along and find us, we are all there to share experiences and help each other, there are lovely people in the group. Thanks, Sharon
June 12, 2014 15:45 glen4 DAFNE Graduate Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 46 posts	Diabetic burnout!? I've not heard that before! Could it be a drained/ withdrawn feeling or tiredness from having lots of highs + lows?
June 20, 2014 03:51 HelenP DAFNE Graduate Queensland Diabetes Centre, Brisbane, QLD 218 posts	Hi Sharon...oh do I get diabetic burnout but it is usually associated with a stretch of difficulty running OK BGs. While things are going smoothly I am OK but when they begin to go haywire (winter for example) I become quite snarky at the whole thing. Fortunately it usually is not too prolonged and I can work my way through it... All the best with the group. Glen4 I think is is just exhaustion having to deal with what you have to deal with if you are working hard at managing the diabetes. I appreciate that some people think it is all OK and everything is easy but I fight against it! I am told my accommodation of the demands is typically adolescent! I think it has more to do with personality and our coping strategies. Helen
July 11, 2014 13:49 Phil Maskell DAFNE Graduate Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 194 posts	I get this alot, just naffed off with all the BG tests etc... I am a keen cyclist and the constant BG tests / hypos / gels on the bike, it just gets me down having to do it, plus when high I feel lethargic and can't keep up with the group (which naffs me off), so I give more insulin, then I'm hypo and don't have the energy or too busy eating to keep up! I guess most diabetics must get this judging by the need for a thread and facebook group. Mentioned it to the GP once, he was shocked that I still felt like this after 30 years, I feel like its because of the 30 years I feel like this. Phil
July 12, 2014 08:02 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	I usually explain why I feel that way by looking at the 5 stages of grief. We lost something when we were diagnosed and we'll never get it back - we're bound to feel burnout. The 5 stages are: Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance I think I cycle through at least three regularly. It also explains why we're twice as likely to suffer from depression like most chronic condition sufferers. I recommend learning about depression and anxiety treatments - particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy taught thinking as this is not a natural skill. It really should be taught as standard at schools imo but most only do it after reaching a point of extreme distress. I won't be joining the FB group because I have no intention of joining FB again. Good luck with it though. I will however take this opportunity to recommend the @OurDiabetes community on Twitter; run voluntarily by David Cragg and his team. They run weekly discussions (called "Tweetchats" - explanation here) and I have met some lovely diabetics through it to help me with the isolation that comes with being Type 1 surrounded by non-diabetics. You do not have to be on Twitter to read the latest on the #ourD tag Take care y'all.