1. Depressed
Or
Stressed?
Kathleen
Graham RN

2. 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/

3. Depression vs.
Diabetes Distress
• Depression • Diabetes Distress
• Appetite changes • More difficult to
measure
• Sleep changes
• No clinical
• Irritability depression
• Lack of focus • Feeling down,
• Loss of pleasure stressed or upset
about diabetes and
• Feeling aspects of living with
sad/worthless diabetes
• Thoughts of suicide

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.