Most women live lives full of emotion, both the predictable and the extreme amount at times. If you are a woman with diabetes you might struggle with these emotions more frequently. What are some of the ways with which you might be struggling? Are these “normal” struggles?
Women with diabetes have a wide range of emotions and topics that can consume their lives. I worry about my child, my family, the futures of those close to me, my job, my finances, my appearance, my fitness level, my emotional stability, and whether or not I can keep track of the ever-changing calendar that I use? It can be overwhelming.
As a diabetic I worry about my blood glucose (BG) at this very minute, what I will eat or not each day, how much exercise I am working into my schedule, and how much I am getting done each day.
As a woman with diabetes I also worry about long-term complications from living with diabetes. How will the health of my eyes, retinas, nerve endings all over my body, kidneys, liver and heart manage over the years?
These are all-too-common worries for many women. What are some other areas that you might be struggling with your emotions?
According to The American Diabetes Association, women are more likely to feel the burden of diabetes because it can affect both mother and child. We are also more likely to have heart attacks at younger ages than women without diabetes.
Women are faced with challenges of coronary heart disease, eating disorders, sexual health, family planning, menopause and other health conditions that overlap with diabetes. Depression increases if you live with diabetes.
What stresses me out even more is that these challenges sometimes seem to exist in a vicious cycle. The stress of daily control, affects stress levels, which affect hormone imbalances, which can lead to depression. Depression can then lead to feeling too tired or stressed to enjoy your sexual health needs.
So with can we do?
Women should take a deep breath and realize that life, just like diabetes, is moving at an ever-changing pace. No one can master everything, but better control over some areas of your life can be managed.
Find someone to share with. Focus on one issue at a time. Make a list of doctor appointments that you need to make if you haven’t.
Realize that these emotions are normal for diabetic women. You are not alone and you can manage these emotions with some planning and support.
By Marianne Tetlow “The Diabetes Coach”
The Diabetes Coach is a comprehensive resource and consulting group for individuals or families with a loved one dealing with diabetes. “Helping You To Move Forward While Managing the Ups and Downs”
www.diabeteslifestylecoach.com/
Sources:
Sexual Health. American Diabetes Association. Web May 16, 2012
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/women/sexual-health.html
Women American Diabetes Association. Web May 16, 2012
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/women/?loc=DropDownLWD-women
Reviewed May 17, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith