Zeaping Forward

How to jump over the barriers that may be holding you back from the best self care.

Caring for your diabetes can seem like a hurdle that’s hard to jump. But the tasks themselves might not be the real problem. Specific barriers could be coming between you and optimal self care. Lack of food choices or minimal time to work out can make diabetes care seem difficult. Treatable conditions such as depression or anxiety can really hold back your efforts. Beverly Adler, a clinical psychologist, suggests examining your diabetes care to pinpoint your barriers.

Changing attitude

Attitude plays a major role. Taking a positive approach improves your ability to take proactive steps, says Jennifer Markee, a social worker and diabetes educator with Endocrinology Associates of Memphis. “A lot of times patients tell me, ‘Well, I screwed up,’ because they aren’t meeting their goals. It’s self-defeating,” Markee says. “When the outcome isn’t what you want, a snowball effect occurs and that attitude can affect your diabetes care.”

This sense of defeat can lead to hopelessness and the idea you are destined to get complications from diabetes – which may prevent your best self care.