5. Diabetes and Stress

• Suggest a support group. These groups can be an invaluable help. The person you're caring for is likely to feel less lonely if he has peers in the same situation he can relate to, learn from, and befriend. So find a peer support system near him or help him access one online (try searching using the key words diabetes online support group).
• Help organize his care regimen. Sometimes the sheer logistics of self-managing diabetes is a source of stress. It's understandable that dealing with this chronic condition can leave your friend or relative feeling frustrated and tired of all the effort it takes to look after himself. One way to lower or eliminate this source of tension is by helping him keep to-do lists and a notebook or journal to monitor medications, diet, exercise, and doctors' appointments. You can also help him stay organized by keeping all his diabetes drugs and devices in a convenient container and location, minimizing the stress of figuring out where these items are when he needs them.

And you can make sure he has a written plan for dealing with high or low blood sugar episodes or sick days. Check, too, that he has the supplies on hand to deal with these situations. Of course, when he's under stress he should monitor blood glucose more often so his blood sugar levels don't get out of whack.

• Help him find a new interest. Some people combat stress by adding something positive to their life. This could be a form of exercise such as hiking or a new activity such as bird-watching. Learning a hobby or craft -- say, pottery or knitting -- may have a calming effect. Doing something to help others, such as volunteering at a school, in a hospital, or for a favorite cause, is often beneficial. Playing or listening to music can also soothe an agitated mind.
• Identify the top challenges. Tackling diabetes-related stress head-on may also help. Ask your friend or relative which aspects of the disease give him the most trouble and help him address these concerns and make changes for the better. If, say, remembering to take medications is the most bothersome aspect, then help him find a way to make this task less irksome. Or if getting more active is a challenge, figure out a way to make it more fun. Maybe he'd enjoy walking with a friend more than exercising alone, for instance.
• Listen empathetically. Allowing him to share his feelings and frustrations about his disease -- without giving him advice or judging -- can go a long way toward reducing his stress. He needs your support and empathy in dealing with this progressive, long-term disorder.
• Get help when needed. Remember that you and the person you're caring for don't have to manage his stress on your own. Ask a member of his diabetes team for a referral if you think he could benefit from therapy, or search online for a mental health practitioner. Talking with a social worker, counselor, or psychotherapist may help him come to grips with his problems or help him find new coping strategies or make behavioral changes to keep stress at bay.
• Encourage him to let his doctor know about unusual stressors. Chronic stress, such as that caused by an ongoing financial crisis or the pain of a degenerative illness, may warrant an adjustment in medications, since long-term stress is particularly damaging to his body. If this is the case, or if you have any concerns or questions about the level of stress he's under or how to help him handle it, discuss this situation with his doctor or other primary diabetes healthcare provider.