DO YOU HAVE DIABETES burnout?

Are you feeling the heat of managing your diabetes? Take this quiz to find out, and then learn ways to cope

1 How much time do you spend thinking about your diabetes?

A. A fair amount of time. I can still do what I want, but I feel like diabetes just won’t leave me alone.

B. I feel like it has taken over my life. I’m so exhausted from everything I have to do.

C. I try to avoid thinking about my diabetes. I just can’t handle it. I’m too busy juggling a job, family and other obligations.

2 Do you count carbohydrates in your meals and snacks?

A. I do my best to count carbs for everything I eat.

B. Usually. Sometimes I just guess, or I graze, which is hard to count.

C. I don’t carb count. I just eat whatever I want.

3 How do you feel about checking your blood glucose or taking meds?

A. I do what I need to do. B. I do these tasks, but I sometimes delay or hesitate. I often think I don’t want to see the number – it’s too much work or it’s not convenient. C. I don’t do my diabetes tasks as often as I used to.

4 When your blood glucose is out of range, how do you react?

A. I feel disappointed, but I do what I need to do.

B. I get angry with myself and/or my diabetes.

C. It used to upset me, but now I just don’t care.

5 Do you have good support in managing diabetes?

A. My family and friends support me, and my healthcare team is respectful and encouraging.

B. I often feel like I’m doing this on my own, but nobody really interferes with my management.

C. Not really. In fact, my friends or family often say or do things that make managing my diabetes difficult (such as encouraging unhealthy eating and making mean or rude comments).

6 How do you feel about managing your diabetes?

A. I sometimes get tired of managing my diabetes, but I do my best.

B. I get frustrated and angry when I do my best and things still go wrong.

C. Hopeless. Nothing I do matters. It’s too difficult, so why try?