Diabetes Burnout
A build-up of diabetes distress can tip into periods of “diabetes burnout” where a person with diabetes might start to avoid self-management tasks for more significant periods of time; this then has the potential to impact upon their physical health.
"I’ve experienced burnout for just a few hours up to several months at a time, even years and it has affected how I manage my life. At times, it’s completely taken over.
I’ve neglected my own diabetes and become physically very poorly. Sometimes I feel so drained by living with type 1 that I don’t have the energy to do anything else.
So it has been a long journey of learning how to manage the diabetes distress, both short term and long term, but I’m getting there".
People with diabetes burnout often recognise the importance of caring for their diabetes, but feel unable to make any changes.
Diabetes burnout is different to depression. Whilst depression causes a person to have negative thoughts about themselves, others, and a sense of hopelessness about the future, diabetes burnout is associated with thoughts and feelings specifically about diabetes.
The individual may not seem particularly low in mood to the outside world. It can happen at any age although the longer you have had diabetes, the more prone you are to feeling burnt out.
What causes diabetes burnout?
Diabetes burnout has many different causes and triggers, and people may identify several reasons that have built up over time (think back to the stress bucket). Here are some examples:
What are some of the possible effects of diabetes burnout?
- reduction or stopping of usual diabetes management (e.g., missing healthcare appointments, avoid checking glucose levels, less healthy eating)
- higher glucose levels leading to increasing HbA1C
- more frequent and severe hypoglycaemia
- feeling ashamed, angry, low in mood, or anxious
- difficulties within personal relationships (e.g., with family and friends)
- impaired quality of life
Why do healthcare professionals not always ask about diabetes burnout?
- it is a relatively new concept, and they may not be aware of it
- diabetes is often managed medically, and conversations might focus on blood test results, not emotions related to diabetes
- some healthcare professionals might feel they do not have the right skills to support people if they open up a conversation about emotions and diabetes
- appointments are time-limited, and you may both avoid talking about what it means to live with diabetes if it seems there is not enough time
Where can I get support if I am worried about diabetes distress or burnout?
- Talk to a healthcare professional in your diabetes team – your consultant, diabetes specialist nurse, or diabetes specialist dietitian, for example. You could consider completing a diabetes distress questionnaire (like the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire) and taking it to your next appointment as a helpful way to start the conversation.
- Some diabetes teams have a psychologist who may be able to offer support – ask your team if this service is available where you live.
- Talk to another healthcare professional who you trust, like your GP, for example.
- Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services are UK-wide and provide NHS evidence-based psychological therapies to support mental health. Contact your local service for information about their support for people with long-term physical health conditions, like diabetes. You can search online (https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/) or ask your GP for details of your local service. You can refer yourself, or a healthcare professional can refer you with your permission.
- Diabetes UK is a national charity who support individuals with diabetes and their families or carers. They can be contacted online, over the phone, or by post (https://diabetes.org.uk/ 0345 123 2399).
There are also a number of strategies you can try yourself to help with overcoming diabetes burnout.
Further support
To learn more about emotional well-being and Type 1 diabetes, explore the free BERTIE Emotional Wellbeing module available on the BERTIE website.
This resource was created by Dr Lindsey Rouse, a clinical psychologist working in the Diabetes and Endocrine Centre at Royal Bournemouth Hospital (UHD NHS Trust) and part of the BERTIE team.
