The Best Way to Deal with Anxiety and Diabetes

Although diabetes is a manageable disease, it can be stressful. Yes, no matter how much you have control over it, controlling diabetes can lead to stress.

People who have diabetes might have concerns such as thinking about their health in long-term, the regular counting of carbs and the measurement of insulin levels.

But, in some people, these concerns above mentioned become more intense and lead to anxiety.

The Link and Research on Anxiety and Diabetes

According to one research, there is a strong link between anxiety and diabetes. One study came to the discovery that Americans who have diabetes are actually 20 % more likely to have anxiety. This is in comparison to people without diabetes.

As a matter of fact, stress can impact your blood glucose. In some people, anxiety can lower the blood sugar levels, and in other, it can raise the blood sugar levels.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

• Feelings of panic and danger
• Restlessness, being tense and nervousness
• Hyperventilation and fast breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle twitching and trembling
• Heavy and increased sweating
• Lethargy and weakness
• Difficulty thinking or focusing on anything except the thing you worry about
• Insomnia
• Obsessions about specific ideas, which is a sign of OCD, i.e., Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Constantly doing the same behaviors
• Gastrointestinal and digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, and gas
• Anxiety about a specific experience or life event which occurred in the past (sign of PTSD)
• Strong desire to avoid certain things which activate your anxiety

How to Treat Anxiety

Generally speaking, you can treat anxiety with therapy, medications and lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Changes

In order to calm anxiety, there are few things which can help with that. You can try to exercise on a regular basis, limit your caffeine intake, follow a healthy diet, get enough sleep and avoid recreational drugs and alcohol.

Therapy

In case the lifestyle changes don’ work, the second option is therapy. Your doctor can refer you to a mental health provider. There are 2 therapy techniques which can help you with that such as:

Exposure therapy – you are gradually exposed to things which make you anxious. This is done for you to learn how to control your feelings.

CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy, with this technique you will identify the anxious behaviors and thoughts and change them.

Medications

Most common medications usually prescribed by a doctor are:

• Benzodiazepine – to relief panic attacks
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety drugs like buspirone

3 Tips on How to Deal with Anxiety

1. Have Fun

You need to learn how to relax. Pick a hobby which you like and commit to it. You can watch a funny movie or listen to some music.

2. Try Meditation and Mindfulness

The present is OK. Living in the past will make you sad and thinking about the future might make you anxious. Therefore, remember there is nothing better than the moment right now.

Try to focus on your breathing. You can listen to some relaxation music. Also, you can try to take a meditation class.

3. Focus on the Positive

Try to find the positive in every single situation, and yes, it’s possible. For example, when you are stuck in traffic, turn on the music and enjoy the break. Yes, consider it as a break to enjoy.

Even if you are running late, by worrying about it, you won’t get on time, right? Therefore, take a deep breath and live each moment.