Pre-diabetes and Stress: A Counsellor’s Perspective

Relationship between pre-diabetes and Stress, a counsellor’s perspective.
A diagnosis of pre-diabetes and mixed response in patients. Mind-body-medicine specialist, Ashima Shukla, shares her experience with pre-diabetic patients and their mental response to a diagnosis of Pre-diabetes.

Patients who are diagnosed pre-diabetic largely fall under two categories:
1. those who take this condition rather casually;
2. others who get very anxious, fearful and stressed to a level of panic-attacks and insomnia, certain that they are going to have full-blown diabetes in future.
Both these reactions are incorrect. Her recommendation is to accept the diagnosis pragmatically. While diabetes is a lifelong condition that should never be taken lightly, it should not cause one sleepless nights.

Ashima reaffirms that a diagnosis as a Pre-diabetic should be considered as an opportunity where you can make active, long term, lifestyle changes to take better control of your health.
Ashima urges patients not to ignore the stress and talk to family/friends or counsellors. It will help patients get a clearer perspective that will help in devising a treatment plan.

Understandably, it is difficult to go through change. Ashima suggests:
1. Take stock of your situation
2. Re-evaluate improvements required in your lifestyle
3. Get self-aware that will keep you centered to deal with this condition better.

As per her, 50% of pre-diabetics get diabetes in future, but you can be among the remaining 50% who can reverse this condition.
At this time, family plays a very important role. A strong family support, patients are motivated and encouraged to stay disciplined, a must for pre-diabetics and those living with diabetes.