Mental health and T1D

Pregnant with T1D – the weight anguish

Once upon a time I was pregnant with T1D, and in that pregnancy I struggled greatly with preserving my mental health. The reason: the constant, incessant, judgemental focus on my weight. My son turned 13 last month – how is that even possible??? Some days, I feel like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant. But, friends, I am so happy it was not just yesterday. Overall, my pregnancy was not a difficult pregnancy. But, because I have type-1 diabetes, I had to attend many, many healthcare provider appointments that often made the experience feel extremely difficult. Some of these appointments included: Maternity clinic High risk obstetrician Diabetes and pregnancy clinic, which featured appointments with an endocrinologist, nurse, and dietitian Non-stress tests Multiple ultrasounds Etc., etc., etc Of all, it was the diabetes and pregnancy clinic that had me constantly fretting about weight gain in pregnancy. Pregnant with T1D: […]

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Counselling in T1D care – why is this not more valued?

Did you know that diabetes is associated with increased mental health disorders? And yet, in Canada, many of our diabetes and endocrinology clinics do not have counselling services attached. Why is counselling in T1D care NOT more valued? This post explores: The very real mental health condition of diabetes distress and burnout, and the struggles that people with T1D navigate with diabetes distress And why I, as a healthcare professional and person with T1D, want to see counselling added to our diabetes clinics Diabetes mental health – the stats The American Diabetes Association defines diabetes distress as emotional distress that results from living with diabetes, and the burden of relentless daily self management. It includes feelings of stress, guilt, denial – all related to diabetes.  We have clear research that shows: 30% of young adults with type-1 diabetes have diabetes distress. (Friends, that does not go away with age) One

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