Diabetes and Your Personality
A research conducted on 3500 patients by a school in Westminster, USA concluded that there are two major personality characteristics in the management of diabetes:
1. The Interactive personality
2. The Independent personality
The Interactive personality type includes patients who interact freely with other people in discussing their issues and readily seek help from family and friends in managing their condition.
The Independent personality type is marked by a strong trait of being self sufficient and self reliant in managing their own lifestyle and condition.
The outcome of this research was that people with the ‘Interactive’ personality were found to be more successful in managing their Diabetes and had longer life spans.
Diabetes management correlation with ‘how you feel today’
One of the most neglected areas when it comes to Diabetes management is the emotional state of mind. It can have a strong and direct impact on how successfully one is able to manage Diabetes. Hence, you will find a lot of advice from experts on taking care of not just the physical aspects, but psychological, social and spiritual aspects of dealing with life with Diabetes.
Most chronic conditions and progressive diseases such as Diabetes can prove to be quite challenging to manage, not just for the patient, but the families too. It is quite normal for people and families with diabetes to undergo tremendous emotional upheavals through the years.
Psychologist Mariella Mendell explains that being diagnosed with Diabetes is a major life stress and, therefore, it requires dealing with psychological challenges ranging from grief, denial, anxiety depression, shame and guilt. This roller coasting set of emotions could affect one’s control in managing their blood glucose levels. The same goes for their families. They also undergo anxiety, irritation and “compassion fatigue” a term used for burnouts among caregivers and partners of people living with Diabetes or other chronic conditions.
Researchers in Joslin Medical Centre, USA discovered a link between high levels of glutamate (a neurotransmitter in the brain that is produced by glucose) to symptoms of depression in people living with Diabetes. So, if you are a patient or spouse/family of someone living with diabetes, it is recommended that you talk about your condition, your feeling of that day, and, if required, opt for medical/psychological help or counselling. Many people have also turned towards meditation and spirituality to find an emotional balance that helps them remain calm while dealing with their condition.
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