Chronic conditions, mental health and managing Covid-19 anxiety (Part 3)

Dr Betsho Mokgatlhe-Dinonyane advises that while Covid-19 has become a reality of life, it is important to try not to make any day about it, but to be cautious and not centre the essence of life around it, and most importantly practice mindfulness.

I know you work with people suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes. Do you believe that this situation (COVID-19) is having a particular impact on the mental well being of people with diabetes for example? If so, what?

From the interaction I’ve had with individuals who have diabetes I haven’t noticed that there isn’t much of a difference in how they are experiencing COVID-19 as compared to everybody else. Primarily because most people living with diabetes have accepted the fact that they have diabetes and so they are able to live their lives without their chronic condition defining them - as they should.

However, because they are of course part of the more vulnerable groups of people, they have to be more cautious. This means they are isolating more, they interact less and some may avoid simple tasks like going to the grocery store. In those extreme cases, the issue is the overwhelming worry that comes with knowing that they’re more vulnerable and susceptible to adverse effects of Covid.

In some very unfortunate cases, I have had clients who were unable to attend family funerals just to make sure that they were safe. This of course can in and of itself be something traumatic.

What approaches would you suggest for managing one’s anxiety in this situation? What tips can you give to the people living with diabetes or other chronic illnesses?

The thing is, anxieties are anxieties, regardless of who is housing it. So practicing mindfulness - where we focus on each day or each hour (if changing the whole day is too difficult). And truly speaking, try not to make any day about COVID-19 be cautious but don’t centre your life around it.

If someone’s anxiety becomes crippling and functioning is low, definitely seek out assistance from your immediate support systems - this could be family and friends or coworkers. And should it become emotionally taxing then definitely reach out to someone who can provide professional assistance and consult with your GP. This is someone who already understands your journey with diabetes so they can better assist with how you can manage your emotional well-being or someone like myself who can take you through a number of techniques to help you manage your thoughts because that’s all anxiety is - it’s a faulty thought.

How have you been coping in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and current social issues?

I had to very quickly adjust the way I exist, in terms of how I care for my child, how I care for my family and how I care for myself. I am already close with understanding the concept of impermanence I’m so change doesn’t necessarily scare me as much as it may the next person. And so I think my adjustment to our new norm can easily.

Then of course here have been challenges with adapting to the limitation on the interaction with family because that is something that means a lot to me. I talked myself through the idea that I can be satisfied with minimal family contact. You know, I work with people but I enjoy time by myself to listen to my own thoughts and let them exist outside of my workspace.

What do you find the most rewarding about the work that you do?

I am in a previous question responded to this one as well where I was saying but I enjoy watching the relief coming to someone’s face throughout the therapeutic process. Something else I enjoy is knowing that I am empowering someone I’m helping them get out of their heads and to come back into their bodies.

And the challenges?

Challenges only really come with individuals who aren’t necessarily ready for their sessions. Reason being I then have to start from the place of