Challenges of Living with Diabetes

A long-term health condition can also be referred to as a ‘chronic illness’ and it can be used to define recurring conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and diabetes.

When living with a long-term health condition it can for some people present them with many new challenges. Not only does it take time for them to adapt and accept their illness but also they may feel affected not just physically, but psychologically, culturally, and sometimes even personally such as financial or relationships with family and friends. In this essay, I will examine in turn the main challenges people with diabetes face.

Sometimes with diabetes, a person may feel an array of emotions when their illness has been diagnosed this can vary from being confused, and anxious about their health and future, to feeling resentment and frustration with their own bodies.

It is also common that many people who have long-term health conditions can also be susceptible to depression and stress when attempting to deal with the aspects of their illness, such as being reliant on insulin injections or having to take care about what they eat and drink. As explained in an article by W.H Polonsky. (K101, Resources 3, pg19 )

Many individuals may feel as if they have lost control of their everyday routines, or are somewhat defeated when following treatments programmes and not being able to see an improvement in health. Recently healthcare professionals recognized that if they provide patients with well-defined, straightforward information and knowledge about their illness, it could encourage people to take more of an involved role in managing their condition, such as setting achievable goals, or becoming better practiced at monitoring and managing insulin levels. Thi...

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...e boundaries of the physical situation but also that of their psychological status too.

Works Cited

Lawton, J., Ahmad, N., Hanna, L., Douglas, M. (2006) ‘Pakistani and Indian patient’s experience of Scottish diabetes services: a qualitative study.’ In: K101 An introduction to health and social care, resources, Block 2, pg. 15, Milton Keynes, The open university.

NHS, (2010) Diabetes NHS choices, Available:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/pages/diabetes.aspx. Last accessed 4th Nov 2010.

Polonsky, W.H (2006). ’Encouraging effective self-management in diabetes.’ In: k101 An introduction to health and social care, resources, Block 3, pg19, Milton Keynes, The open university.

The open university (2008) K101 An introduction to health and social care, block 1, unit 2, Illness, health and care, pg. 84, Milton Keynes, The open university.