We all know what anger is, and we’ve all felt it, whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage.

Anger is an entirely normal, usually healthy, human emotion.  But keeping your temper in check can be challenging, especially while managing your diabetes.

Diabetes can be a catalyst for anger. Anger can start at diagnosis with the question, “Why me?” You may dwell on how unfair diabetes is: “I’m so angry at this disease! I don’t want to treat it. I don’t want to control it. I hate it!”

One reason diabetes and anger so often go hand in hand is that diabetes can make you feel threatened. Life with diabetes can seem full of dangers – insulin reactions or complications. When you fear these threats, anger often surges to your defense.

You can feel angry if your friends, family, and co-workers shame or blame you for your diagnosis. When criticized about your behaviors, you resort to rage to get the other person to leave you alone. ‘Shame Rage’ is a phrase used to describe when you feel humiliated, embarrassed, or ridiculed, your self-esteem drops and your rage cuts off these bad feelings.

You might also feel secretly ashamed of yourself for being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. You might feel guilty for ignoring the warning signs, a prediabetes diagnosis, or your doctor’s advice.

Experts advise letting your feelings out and learning to work them through. Understand the dynamics that send you from feeling threatened to rage so you don’t feel shame. Make a personal challenge to break destructive patterns in your life.

Figure out what triggers your anger and helplessness and what sets you off. When vulnerable feelings of disappointment and frustration arise, tell yourself, “This is a feeling. It’s only a feeling. Feelings are meant to be felt. That’s why they are called feelings. I choose to breathe through this feeling rather than act it out.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek out a therapist.

 

We’re discussing ‘ANGER and DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from Evelyn “Champagne” King on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Podcast guests include Authors of Overcoming Destructive Anger , psychologist Dr. Bernard Golden, PhD, an anger management specialist, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, Laura Laria MA, CASAC-T, Jill Knapp- Woolsey, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Mama Rose Marie, and the Charlie’s Angels Outreach.