Diabetes Distress refers to an emotional state where people with diabetes experience feelings such as stress, guilt, or denial. These experiences often arise as a result of the burdens of living with and managing diabetes. While diabetes distress is not a diagnosable mental health condition in the DSM-5, the symptoms can greatly impact a person’s quality of life.
The Diabetes Distress Scale for adults with Type 1 Diabetes (T1-DDS) is a 28-item self-reporting scale that highlights seven critical dimensions of diabetes distress. First published in 2015, it has quickly been adopted as a clinical instrument for diabetes patience, as well as an important measurement tool for further studies about the psychological demands of living with diabetes.
It’s important that those of us living with diabetes – along with our loved ones – know how to recognize common sources of diabetes distress.
7 major sources of diabetes distress among T1D adults
1. Powerlessness. Feeling that one’s blood sugar numbers have a life of their own.
“No matter how hard I try with my diabetes, it will never be good enough.”
2. Negative social perceptions. Concerns about the possible negative judgements of others.
“I have to hide my diabetes from other people.”
4. Physician Distress. Disappointment with current health care professionals.
“I don’t get help I really need from my diabetes doctor.”
4. Friend/Family Distress. Loved ones pay too little or too much attention to one’s diabetes.
“My family and friends make a bigger deal out of diabetes than they should.”
5. Hypoglycemia Distress. Concerns about severe hypoglycemic events.
“I can never be safe from the possibility of a serious hypoglycemic event.”
6. Management Distress. Disappointment with one’s own self-care efforts.
“I don’t give my diabetes as much attention as I should.”
7. Eating Distress. This includes concerns that one’s eating is out of control.
“Thoughts about food and eating control my life.”
The T1-DDS helps us put language to emotions that are often hard to articulate. To access the Scale, visit the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) by clicking here. You can also complete and score the assessment online at diabetesdistress.org and receive instant graphical feedback regarding your scores (both total and sub-scale scores).