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People living with T1D often experience anxiety and depression. Has anyone from your diabetes care team discussed your mental health with you?
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There has been no reason for them to feel o have any mental problems due to diabetes.
No. But they know, based on my medication list that I am already seeing a psychiatrist.
No one in my diabetes care team has ever mentioned my mental health. There was a time before I got my pump and Dexcom that I was suffering from burnout and frustration. But Tandem and Dexcom have taken most of that off my back.
They talked to you about the burnout and challenges you were facing?!?! I’m impressed (8 D (sic. Knowing better)
My T1D provider recognized some issues I was having and dealt with them right Away and I was already seeing a therapist at the time between the 2 of them I recovered very quickly from a very upsetting situation
My diabetes care team hasn’t discussed mental health with me. There’s usually no time. But, I have meds and resources outside of my diabetes care team. I am very grateful for these resources. Mental health still has an incredible stigma attached to it that I wish would be different.
Yes, but it wasn’t related to anything having to do with diabetes. It was related to a terrifying on the job incident as a visiting home care nurse that resulted in PTSD that affected my emotional well-being. I walked into an active narcotic drug deal in a patient’s apartment and had to keep my cool while I examined the patient to make sure she was safe and not being harmed by her son and his drug dealing cohorts who were processing “a delivery” of sliver brick packets on her kitchen table.with guns and two pit bull guard dogs. I did what I had to do to assess the patient and got out of there ASAP. I was pretty shaken as I drove several blacks away to stop and call my supervisor to report what just happened. I drove back to the VNS office and we contacted the police. I was pretty shaken because one of the guys followed me out to my car and watched me drive away. My endocrinologist noticed that something was disturbing my overall state of well-being and health and she said “You look terrible – what the hell is going on with you?” She advocated for me to take a medical leave of absence covered by Worker’s Comp to get therapy. I was out for 8 weeks and saw a therapist weekly to deal with trauma release. Eventually I recovered. The police investigators busted the drug ring and several men, including two of the woman’s sons, went to jail.
Once a year my PCP’s assistant reads me yes-or-no questions from a depression screening list while typing my answers into the computer. Luckily, I also have friends who look me in the eye and ask me how I’m doing.
I mention my anxiety to my endocrinologist and she gives me coping strategies.
Ironically various physicians at the VA go over a list of things: “Was I touched or harassed inappropriately during my term or at any facility;” “Do you have trouble sleeping;” “How many hours sleep…”
Initially tried to lead me to admit I’m too happy or confident (guess I do need to tone that down), seemed concerned over my sleep habits. Twice got called for appointments, I didn’t accept.
I think it’s good for care for mental health for veterans, not that I’m odd but I feel lucky to be “just a diabetic” (As I see folks using walkers, wheelchairs, missing limbs, carrying O2 tanks, and who knows. All I need is my insulin, pump, and CGM)
My pcp asks but not diabetes specific. I don’t remember Endo addressing.
I chose “another provider,” but wanted to clarify it was my T1D provider, just not the one I am currently seeing.
…plus my Rheumatologist, Neurologist, and PCP!
—Spitting cold tea all over my screen/keyboard!— You’re kidding right?!?! If it’s NOT a @*)@@ blood sugar numbers they LITERALLY do not care!!! They have no tools of any kind, and bluntly ZERO (0) interest on any level. My disgust cannot be measured….. I have asked quietly, politely for years for a name, or assistance with the psychology stuff challenges and gotten blank stares as if I spoke some alien (outer space) language to them. [sic. every single time I ever ask]. The ADA “list” is a sweet idea but dangerously premature. I don’t live in “Antartica”, there should be more than one single name within 50 miles…. there is not…. I have lost ALL faith in them, and their approach, There is more to the disease than our numbers.