Diabetes and your feelings

Diabetes distress, burnout, worry and low mood are common and treatable. Learn the signs, simple ways to cope, how family can help and where to get support, including 9-8-8.

6 min read · last reviewed October 3, 2026

Diabetes doesn't take a day off. There are numbers to check, medicines to take, meals to plan and appointments to keep, every day, on top of everything else in your life. It's no wonder that many people feel tired, frustrated or worried at times.

If that's you, you're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. Your feelings are a real and important part of living with diabetes, and there is help.

Diabetes distress: when diabetes wears you down

Diabetes distress is the stress, worry and frustration that come from living with diabetes and managing it day after day. It's very common. Studies suggest that a large share of people with diabetes, perhaps around a third at any one time, have significant diabetes distress. It can come and go, and it often shows up after a new diagnosis, a change in treatment or a complication.

You might:

• feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do
• feel guilty or judged about your blood sugar numbers or your weight
• worry a lot about lows, or about complications in the future
• feel that your family, friends or even your care team don't understand
• feel like giving up on your diabetes care for a while ("diabetes burnout")

Diabetes distress is different from depression, but the two can overlap. Both can make it harder to look after yourself, and both can be helped.

Something you can do today: Name one part of diabetes that's bothering you the most. Just naming it is a first step.

Depression and anxiety

People with diabetes are more likely than others to have depression and anxiety. Signs of depression include feeling sad, empty or hopeless most days, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, sleeping too much or too little, and feeling tired all the time. Anxiety can feel like constant worry, a racing heart, or trouble relaxing.

These are medical conditions, not personal failings. Talking therapies, support and, for some people, medicine work well. Diabetes Canada and the American Diabetes Association both recommend that care teams check regularly for diabetes distress, depression and anxiety.

Fear of lows

Some people, especially those who take insulin, become very worried about low blood sugar. They may keep their sugar higher on purpose to avoid lows. This is understandable. Tell your team. Tools like a continuous glucose monitor with alarms, changes to your medicines, and a clear plan for treating lows can help you feel safer.

Food, weight and stigma

Many people with diabetes feel judged about what they eat or how much they weigh. You may hear unhelpful comments like "you shouldn't eat that." Remember: diabetes is not your fault, and there is no perfect way to eat. If you find yourself worrying a lot about food, eating in secret, or skipping insulin to control your weight, please tell your team. These problems are more common than people think, and help is available.

Ways to cope

• Talk about it. Share how you're feeling with someone you trust.
• Be kind to yourself. A high reading is information, not a grade. Everyone has off days.
• Focus on one thing at a time. Pick one small goal, rather than trying to fix everything.
• Ask for help with the load. Can a family member help with meals, refills or appointments?
• Use technology if it helps. Apps, reminders, CGMs and pill organizers can take some work off your plate.
• Connect with others. Peer support groups, in person or online, can help you feel less alone. Diabetes Canada and Breakthrough T1D offer programs and communities.
• Look after the basics. Sleep, movement, time outdoors and things you enjoy all help your mood and your blood sugar.

Something you can do this week: Tell your diabetes educator or doctor how you've been feeling, using one sentence: "Diabetes has been hard for me lately because..."

For family and friends

Your support matters a lot. Some ideas:

• Ask how you can help, rather than assuming.
• Avoid "food policing" or blaming comments about numbers.
• Learn how to treat a low and use glucagon, if your loved one takes insulin.
• Celebrate effort, not just results.
• Look after yourself too. Caregivers can feel stressed and worried as well.

When to get help right away

If you are thinking about suicide or harming yourself:

• Call or text 9-8-8 in Canada or the U.S. It's free and available 24 hours a day.
• Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department if you are in immediate danger.
• Tell someone you trust right now.

You are not alone, and help is available.

Questions to ask your care team

• Is it normal to feel this way? Can you check me for diabetes distress or depression?
• Can I see a counsellor, psychologist or social worker?
• Are there diabetes support groups near me or online?
• Can we make my diabetes routine simpler?
• I'm worried about lows. What can help?

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your health care team about your own situation. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

General information, not medical advice. It does not replace your own care team. If you think you or someone else is having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada and the US).

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