Upon being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, many thoughts and worries could resonate in a person’s mind. After a diagnosis like this one, it is easy to become zeroed in on the physical upkeep that comes with this illness and forget to tend to mental health as well. Diabetes burnout is a condition that results in feelings of exhaustion and frustration related to the demands of managing diabetes. Often, this condition can result in the neglect of health maintenance and feelings of a loss of control.5
About 36% of people with diabetes experience diabetes burnout for either short periods or over prolonged periods of time.4 With minorities experiencing unique, overlapping challenges related to diabetes, it is even more imperative that proactive steps are taken to prevent or minimize physical and mental health challenges related to their illness. Minorities living with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and diabetic retinopathy, than their white peers.3 These additional health concerns dealing with vision loss and kidney disease can greatly contribute to the emotional distress that fuels diabetes burnout.
Additionally, minorities are less likely to receive mental health care, with African Americans having a 60% lower chance of utilizing mental health care than White people.2 This is due to multiple barriers such as cost, stigma, provider biases, geographic inaccessibility, and cultural/language barriers.4 Because of the multitude of difficulties that minority diabetics face, the balance of physical and mental health maintenance is key. Furthermore, minorities must be aware of the signs of and ways to alleviate diabetes burnout.
What can you do to help identify and alleviate symptoms of Diabetes Burnout?
- Be mindful of denial. Make sure that thoughts or words of denial do not turn into a disregard for personal health. Accepting a diagnosis like this can be difficult, but it is important to take action and prioritize overall health.6
- Look at the big picture. Remember that with diabetes, physical and emotional health play equal roles in a person’s overall health and quality of life.
- Speak to your family or healthcare provider. These people can help you set goals and stay consistent with your plans.
Remember, managing Type 2 Diabetes is a journey, not a destination. It is a demanding, lifelong condition, especially for minorities who face unique challenges. But by recognizing the signs of diabetes burnout and taking proactive steps, you can regain control. Mental health is just as important as physical health. By prioritizing both, you can lead a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
For more help and connection to providers, please use the ADA Diabetes Hotline:
Call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm ET
References:
- Black, S. A. (2002). Diabetes, diversity, and disparity: What do we do with the evidence? American Journal of Public Health, 92(4), 543–548. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.4.543
- De Luca, S. M., Blosnich, J. R., Hentschel, E. a. W., King, E., & Amen, S. (2015). Mental Health Care Utilization: How Race, Ethnicity and Veteran Status are Associated with Seeking Help. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(2), 174–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9964-3
- Haw, J. S., Shah, M., Turbow, S., Egeolu, M., & Umpierrez, G. (2021). Diabetes complications in racial and ethnic minority populations in the USA. Current Diabetes Report, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-020-01369-x
- Henry, T. L., Jetty, A., Petterson, S., Jaffree, H., Ramsay, A., Heiman, E., & Bazemore, A. (2020). Taking a closer look at mental health treatment differences: Effectiveness of mental health treatment by provider type in racial and ethnic minorities. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 11, 215013272096640. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720966403
- Kiriella, D. A., Islam, S., Oridota, O., Sohler, N., Dessenne, C., De Beaufort, C., Fagherazzi, G., & Aguayo, G. A. (2021). Unraveling the concepts of distress, burnout, and depression in type 1 diabetes: A scoping review. EClinicalMedicine, 40, 101118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101118
- Mental Health and Diabetes | ADA. (n.d.). https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/mental-health
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By Riley Selden
