Depressed Or

Stressed? Kathleen Graham RN Teacher’s College, Columbia University

DAWN Study

•  Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs

•  The first time people who live with diabetes were asked what it is like

•  An international project

•  http://www.dawnstudy.com/

Depression vs. Diabetes Distress

Depression

•  Appetite changes

•  Sleep changes

•  Irritability

•  Lack of focus

•  Loss of pleasure

•  Feeling sad/worthless

•  Thoughts of suicide

Diabetes Distress

•  More difficult to measure

•  No clinical depression

•  Feeling down, stressed or upset about diabetes and aspects of living with diabetes

Feelings About the Disease

•  I feel overwhelmed by my diabetes

•  I worry about the future and possible complications

•  Diabetes takes up too much of my energy every day

•  I worry about low blood sugar

Feelings About Support

•  I feel uncomfortable in social situations regarding my diabetes care (e.g. people telling me what to eat)

•  I feel alone with my diabetes

•  I feel that my family and friends are not supportive of my diabetes

Feelings About Treatment

•  I don’t feel I have clear and concrete goals for my diabetes care

•  I feel discouraged with my treatment plan

•  I’m not satisfied with my diabetes physician

•  I’m having trouble paying for my meds and supplies

What To Do?

•  Realize you aren’t alone

•  Enlist the support of family friend

•  Seek a support group

•  Talk to your doc/endo/CDE about your needs

•  Learn more about the aspects of diabetes that make you feel uncertain

•  Become creative in your approach to your management.