The Psychology of Being Diabetic.

By Pholo Ramothwala

Living with diabetes is not just about blood sugar levels. It is a mental and emotional journey that tests your patience, courage, and resilience every single day. Although I live with other chronic conditions, in this reflection, my focus is on diabetes and how it affects not only my body but also my mind.

For me, one of the hardest struggles has been my constant desire, and sometimes desperation, to keep my sugar readings below 5 mmol/L. When I see the numbers rise, even slightly, I feel an immediate sense of pressure. My mind starts wondering: What did I eat? What did I miss?

That anxiety is intense. It is almost physical. I can feel the tension run through my body, my heart beating faster, my blood pressure climbing. Ironically, that very stress, meant to help me “fix” the problem, can make things worse, spiking both my sugar and my pressure. It’s a vicious emotional and physical cycle.

Then there’s the neuropathy; the burning and tingling in my feet that started years ago and has now worsened with diabetes. Some days, it feels like fire beneath my skin. Recently, the pain has started creeping higher up my body. It’s a strange, unbearable kind of pain invisible to others but real to me. It takes over your thoughts, your peace, even your ability to think clearly.

And then there are the cramps, especially at night. They can be sudden. That tightening in my feet, that pull in the muscles. Then, I know what lies ahead, constant discomfort, interrupted rest, and mental exhaustion.

Then come the pills, endless tablets lined up for morning, afternoon, and night. Tablets for sugar control, for pain, for nerve protection, for blood pressure. It can feel overwhelming. Each dose is both a lifeline and a reminder that my body needs help to function. But I’m learning to shift my perspective, to see them not as a burden, but as tools for healing.

All of this takes a toll on the mind. The constant monitoring, pain, and fatigue can weigh heavily on one’s emotional health. It’s easy to lose patience, to feel frustrated, or even hopeless at times. But I’m slowly learning that healing requires more than medication, it requires a calm and compassionate mind.

When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that healing takes time. My setbacks are often medical, but my recovery also depends on how I respond emotionally. I am learning to slow down, to breathe, to give my body permission to rest and recover.

Over time, I have also learned to take practical steps to manage the things that cause me stress. I have joined a gym, exercise helps release tension, improves circulation, and clears my mind. I double down on being consistent with my medication, even when I feel tired or discouraged, because that consistency brings stability and peace of mind. And I make time to talk to other people, friends, peers, and others living with chronic illness. Those conversations remind me that I’m not alone, that it’s okay to struggle, and that hope is still part of the journey.

And here’s something important I have realised: many of these physical issues can be managed, or even eased, with proper treatment. When the right treatment works, when my sugar stabilises, the burning calms down, and my blood pressure steadies, my mind finally gets a break. I don’t have to think about diabetes every moment. I can just be. That mental relief is as healing as the medication itself.

This journey has taught me that living with diabetes is about balance, balancing vigilance with acceptance, discipline with self-kindness. I’m learning that my numbers don’t define me, and my body is not my enemy.

When I take care of both my body and my mind, something shifts. I start to feel whole again. Even on the days when pain, fatigue, or fear creep in, I remind myself: I am still here. I am still healing. I am still learning to live beyond illness.

My Reflection: If you are living with diabetes, I want you to know,9 8 you are not alone. The pain, the frustration, the emotional exhaustion are real. But so is your strength. When your treatment works, allow yourself to rest mentally too. Healing happens in the body, but peace begins in the mind.