We all know what anger is, and we’ve all felt it, whether as a fleeting annoyance or as full-fledged rage.
Anger is a completely 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 that you ignored the warning signs or your doctor’s advice and that being diagnosed with diabetes is your fault.
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, say, “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.”
Allow yourself to feel guilt and own up to what you did wrong. Taking responsibility for your actions can become a way to gain self-esteem.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find a therapist to help you look at the emotional patterns in your life.
While it’s true that out-of-control anger can cause more harm than good, that’s only part of the story. Anger can also help you assert and protect yourself. You can learn to use your anger. You can even put it to work for better diabetes care.
Ready To Get Your Anger Under Control?
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.
Throughout the podcast, we will play selected songs from The Essential Evelyn “Champagne” King courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s podcast is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”
Join us for a delightful online baking extravaganza! Get ready to whip up some delicious treats without the guilt of sugar. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie in the kitchen, this event is perfect for everyone. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 7:00 (Eastern Standard Time) and prepare to indulge in guilt-free goodies.