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What is Diabetes Distress?
At some point, almost everyone with diabetes will experience a degree of diabetes distress. It’s expected and completely understandable, especially for those on intensive medication and insulin regimens. Having diabetes is not just about checking blood sugars, counting carbs, taking medications, and giving insulin. People also have an emotional relationship with their diabetes. These feelings around their diabetes can fluctuate throughout their lifetime.
Sometimes a person might have a great day, when their blood sugars on mostly on target, they don’t miss any of their medications and insulin, plus they made it to the gym. But the next day or week or month may feel like a complete mess, with blood sugars all over the place. These blood sugar swings are due to a variety of different reasons, many of which may be out of the person’s control.
Regardless of where a person is with their diabetes self-care, the emotions that bubble up, need to be acknowledged and recognized both by the person with diabetes and the health care provider.
When diabetes self-care all starts feeling like it’s too much or like it’s out of control, that’s when we might say a person is experiencing diabetes distress.
You can determine if a person is experiencing diabetes distress by observing self-care behaviors and asking questions. Or you can use a standardized assessment tool to determine how much distress a person is experiencing in four different areas of diabetes self-care. Please see this link to download the Diabetes Distress Scale and other psychosocial screening tools.
The four areas of Diabetes Distress include:
Emotional Distress – Feeling like they are not doing enough; like they are failing and out of control.
Physician-related distress – Provider doesn’t understand diabetes.
Interpersonal Distress – Friends and family don’t really get it, or are critical, or don’t want to hear about diabetes. Can often be co-associated with depression.
Regimen-related distress – all the daily stuff a person has to do to self-manage their diabetes. Regimen-related distress is the most common kind of diabetes distress, especially for those living with type 1 diabetes.
Health Care Professionals can take an active role in identifying Diabetes Distress
We can start by asking this question, “What is most driving you crazy about your diabetes right now?” or “How are you doing with your diabetes?” while listening carefully to their response and evaluating their degree of distress.
We can also look at self-care behaviors to identify distress:
Sometimes diabetes distress can lead to burnout or be co-associated with burnout. Sometimes, it may be hard to tell the difference. Don’t worry about figuring out if it’s burnout or distress. What’s most important is to recognize that this person is having trouble coping and to provide active listening and help with problem-solving.
What is diabetes burnout?
Diabetes burnout is an emotional reaction that is usually more intense than diabetes distress. A person in the state of burnout is someone with diabetes who has grown tired of managing their condition, then simply ignores it for a period of time.
Sometimes I refer to burnout as taking a diabetes vacation.
This vacation might be a weekend trip, a week trip, or a long-term sabbatical. Diabetes burnout looks different for everyone. Diabetes burnout is a normal reaction to living with diabetes. I am not saying it is a good thing, or we want people to feel burned out. We want to recognize that managing diabetes is a lot of work and sometimes people just take breaks from diabetes self-management.
As health care providers, we can support people experiencing diabetes distress or burnout. According to Mark Heyman, PhD, CDCES, here is an approach he has found helpful.
As health care professionals, we need to check in with people about their distress on a regular basis and provide support.
We need to reassure them that management of diabetes isn’t easy, but they are not alone. There are lots of other people with diabetes experiencing the same feelings.
We might say something like, “Managing diabetes is hard work, but we believe in your ability to make small changes to get to a safer place. You don’t have to move mountains; you just need to take a baby step.“
Let’s remind them, that having diabetes is like getting a job you didn’t ask for. You have to do the work of a body organ, a pancreas. that requires 24 hours a day of attention, without any pay or vacations. Sincerely focus on their successes, no matter how small, and reinforce our belief in their ability to move forward. We got this.
This presentation will include the latest information on Social Determinants of health, assessment strategies, and approaches. We will explore the psychosocial issues that can discourage individuals from adopting healthier behaviors and provides strategies to identify and overcome these barriers. Life studies are used to apply theory to real-life situations. A great course for anyone in the field of diabetes education or for those looking for a new perspective on assessment and coping strategies.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes education looking for a straightforward explanation of identification and treatment of hyperglycemic crises.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can experience hyperglycemic crises.
Which of the following is true about Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
This course discusses common causes of hyperglycemia crises. Topics include hyperglycemia secondary to medications and insulin deprivation. The difference and similarities between Diabetes Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome are also covered. Treatment strategies for all situations are included.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes education looking for a straightforward explanation of identification and treatment of hyperglycemic crises.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
This course discusses common causes of hyperglycemia crises. Topics include hyperglycemia secondary to medications and insulin deprivation. The difference and similarities between Diabetes Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome are also covered. Treatment strategies for all situations are included.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes education looking for a straightforward explanation of identification and treatment of hyperglycemic crises.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
This presentation will include the latest information on Social Determinants of health, assessment strategies, and approaches. We will explore the psychosocial issues that can discourage individuals from adopting healthier behaviors and provides strategies to identify and overcome these barriers. Life studies are used to apply theory to real-life situations. A great course for anyone in the field of diabetes education or for those looking for a new perspective on assessment and coping strategies.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes education looking for a straightforward explanation of identification and treatment of hyperglycemic crises.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Are you considering pursuing certification in diabetes care, but are not sure which certification is right for you and how to get started?
Coach Beverly is excited to share her insights on determining the best certification choice and the pathway to success. She will share her personal journey on achieving both her CDCES and BC-ADM over 20 years ago and how these credentials have impacted her opportunities as a diabetes specialist and president of her own company. We hope you can join us!
Webinar Topics
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Our November 23rd Question of the week quizzed test takers on the Nobel Prize insulin. 34% of respondents, chose the best answer. We are excited to share this info about the discovery of insulin with you.
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question
Question:
In 1923, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of insulin.
Which group of scientists were the recipients of the award?
Answer Choices:
As shown above, the most common choice was option 3, the second most common answer was option 2, then option 4, and finally option 1.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1923 was awarded jointly to Frederick Grant Banting and John James Rickard Macleod “for the discovery of insulin.”
According to the summary at the Nobel Prize Website – Previous doctors realized that diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin, which is formed in parts of the pancreas but could not prove it. Frederick Banting suspected that another substance formed in the pancreas, trypsin, broke down the insulin.
In John MacLeod’s laboratory in 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best treated dogs so that they no longer produced trypsin. Insulin could then be extracted and used to treat diabetes. A short while later, Dr. Collip made a breakthrough in purifying the extract, using alcohol in slightly over 90 percent concentration to precipitate out the active ingredient (insulin).
Although Dr. Banting, Dr. Collip, Dr. Macleod, and Dr. Best were all involved in the discovery of insulin, only Dr. Banting and the lab director, Dr. Macleod received the official Nobel prize for Medicine.
Answer 1 is incorrect. 26.73% chose this answer, “Dr. Banting and Dr. Best.” Credited for their experiments on dogs at the University of Toronto in 1921 that eventually led to the discovery of insulin.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 19.82% of you chose this answer, “Dr. Collip, Dr. Banting, and Dr. Best”. Although Dr. Collip made a breakthrough in purifying the extract, using alcohol in slightly over 90 percent concentration to precipitate out the active ingredient (insulin), he, along with Best, was not recognized with a Nobel Prize.
Answer 3 is incorrect. 19.45% of respondents chose this answer, “Dr. Banting, Dr. Collip, Dr. Macleod, Dr. Best” All four of these physicians played a major part in the discovery and availability of insulin, but only Dr. Banting and Dr. Maccleod were awarded the Nobel prize.
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 34% chose this answer, “Dr. Banting and Dr. Macleod” YES, GREAT JOB.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1923 was awarded jointly to Frederick Grant Banting and John James Rickard Macleod “for the discovery of insulin.” According to the summary at the Nobel Prize Website – In John MacLeod’s laboratory in 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best treated dogs so that they no longer produced trypsin. Insulin could then be extracted and used to treat diabetes.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
You are invited to join Coach Beverly for this FREE Webinar. And, if you want to have access to an additional 220+ sample practice online questions, you can purchase the complete Test Taking Toolkit.
During this webinar, Coach Beverly will help you transform your nervousness into focused energy that will help you succeed. She will provide test-taking tips based on her experience taking the certification exam six times.
This includes a review of 20 sample test questions with test-taking strategies. This does not include access to the recorded webinar or the practice questions.
This includes access to the recorded version of this webinar on your Online University Student Portal.
Plus, the Test Taking Toolkit provides you with over 220 sample online practice questions, simulating the exam experience. A perfect way to assess your knowledge and create a focused study plan, while increasing your test-taking confidence.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live.
Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
About 30% of people living with type 1 diabetes experience diabetes distress.
Which of the following statements reflects someone struggling with diabetes distress?
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
This presentation will include the latest information on Social Determinants of health, assessment strategies, and approaches. We will explore the psychosocial issues that can discourage individuals from adopting healthier behaviors and provides strategies to identify and overcome these barriers. Life studies are used to apply theory to real-life situations. A great course for anyone in the field of diabetes education or for those looking for a new perspective on assessment and coping strategies.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes education looking for a straightforward explanation of identification and treatment of hyperglycemic crises.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
To celebrate National Diabetes Month, our Questions of the Week will challenge test takers on their historical knowledge of the discovery of insulin. Thanks for joining us on this fun adventure.
In 1923, the Nobel Prize for in Medicine was awarded for the discovery of insulin.
Which group of scientists were the recipients for the award?
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
This month, we are quizzing test takers on the history of diabetes. Our November 16th Question of the week quizzed test takers on the cost of the insulin patent. 74% of respondents, chose the best answer. We are excited to share this info with you in celebration of National Diabetes Month.
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question
Question:
On January 23rd, 1923, Dr.’s Banting, Best, and Collip were awarded the patent for insulin.
How much did Banting, Best, and Collip each charge the University of Toronto for their share of the insulin patent?
Answer Choices:
As shown above, the most common choice was option 3, the second most common answer was option 2, then option 4, and finally option 1.
On January 23rd, 1923 Banting, Best, and Collip were awarded the American patents for insulin. They sold the patent to the University of Toronto for $1 each. Banting notably said: “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” His desire was for everyone who needed access to it to have it.
In order for the insulin to be mass-produced and widely available, the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. were given the right to do so. Currently, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk are the major insulin producers. Insulin is no longer extracted from beef and pork pancreases. Now companies use E. coli and yeast to produce insulin through recombinant DNA therapy.
With insulin patents expiring, we are now seeing the approval of biosimilar insulins that come with lower price tags. This lower-cost insulin keeps Dr. Banting’s dream alive, which is to make insulin a gift that belongs to the world.
Answer 1 is incorrect. 8.22% chose this answer, “They sold the patent for insulin for one million dollars to be divided by the 3 patent owners.”
Answer 2 is incorrect. 9.59% of you chose this answer, “They retained the patent for insulin to ensure exclusive rights.”
Answer 3 is correct. 73.52% of respondents chose this answer, “They sold the patent for insulin for $1 each.” YES, GREAT JOB. This is the BEST ANSWER!
Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 8.68% chose this answer, “They sold the patent for insulin to pharmaceutical companies for an undisclosed amount.”
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
You are invited to join Coach Beverly for this FREE Webinar. And, if you want to have access to an additional 220+ sample practice online questions, you can purchase the complete Test Taking Toolkit.
During this webinar, Coach Beverly will help you transform your nervousness into focused energy that will help you succeed. She will provide test-taking tips based on her experience taking the certification exam six times.
This includes a review of 20 sample test questions with test-taking strategies. This does not include access to the recorded webinar or the practice questions.
This includes access to the recorded version of this webinar on your Online University Student Portal.
Plus, the Test Taking Toolkit provides you with over 220 sample online practice questions, simulating the exam experience. A perfect way to assess your knowledge and create a focused study plan, while increasing your test-taking confidence.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live.
Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.