Diabetes Burnout: Preventing It, Surviving It, Finding Inner Peace [Paperback]

The American Diabetes Association here attempts a more realistic tone in helping with the stresses of long-term management of the diseasebut doesn't even come close to addressing the anguish and uncertainty reported by recent authors with diabetes, and thus can't really help wrestle with those demons. Psychologist Polonsky adopts the persistently upbeat, encouraging tone that those with the illness have criticized (and that Butterfields Showdown With Diabetes and Roneys Sweet Invisible Body, for instance, so successfully avoided). ``Is diabetes driving you crazy?'' he asks brightly. ``If so, welcome to the club! In fact, a very large club!'' Polonsky's aim here is to overcome the burnout of managing an unending, often volatile disorder on a daily basis, and he does acknowledge at the outset two of the thorniest problems. Not even following medical directions to the letter will prevent crazy days when blood glucose levels rise or fall dramatically for no apparent reason''; even worse, ``there may be scary days when minoror majorcomplications suddenly appear. Polonsky advises self-testing to determine both the degree of burnout and the cause (from taxing self-care to relationships and other stressors), examines each cause in turn, and presents coping mechanisms. There are some helpful suggestions here, but Polonskys toneepitomized in the fable of the ``Blood Sugar Fairy'' who causes weird and wacky occurrences'' like insulin shockis as repellent as a night nurses whimsical cheer. For the establishment line, Touchettes The Diabetes Problem Solver is better; for context and consolation, try Butterfield and Roney. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Diabetes Burnout is an interactive book that addresses the emotional issues that contribute to poor glycemic control and provides guidance to overcoming the barriers to good self-care. Worksheets help readers assess their current state of motivation and establish a successful plan of action.

Do you get depressed about having to deal with diabetes day in and day out? Do you worry about complications, get angry about the never-ending chore of self-care, and get frurstrated by poor results when it feels like you've worked so hard?

If so, you may be suffering from "diabetes burnout"--and you're not alone.

This book addresses not only your frustrations, but also how burnout may contribute to poor self-care, high blood glucose, and later complications. A series of interactive questionnaires and self-evaluations guide you toward overcoming the barriers to good control. Worksheets help you to assess your motivational level and establish a successful plan of action.

Diabetes Burnout addresses such issues as:

• Ten good reasons to hate blood sugar monitoring (and what to do about them) • Worrying about long-term complications: the uses and misuses of fear • Depression and diabetes: a tough combination • Friends and family: the diabetes police • How stress influences diabetes (and what you can do about it) • And more!

Don't let diabetes be in charge of you. Let Diabetes Burnout show you how to take charge of diabetes.

Do you get depressed about having to deal with diabetes day in and day out? Do you worry about complications, get angry about the never-ending chore of self-care, and get frurstrated by poor results when it feels like you've worked so hard?

If so, you may be suffering from "diabetes burnout"--and you're not alone.

This book addresses not only your frustrations, but also how burnout may contribute to poor self-care, high blood glucose, and later complications. A series of interactive questionnaires and self-evaluations guide you toward overcoming the barriers to good control. Worksheets help you to assess your motivational level and establish a successful plan of action.

Diabetes Burnout addresses such issues as:

• Ten good reasons to hate blood sugar monitoring (and what to do about them)
• Worrying about long-term complications: the uses and misuses of fear
• Depression and diabetes: a tough combination
• Friends and family: the diabetes police
• How stress influences diabetes (and what you can do about it)
• And more!

Don't let diabetes be in charge of you. Let Diabetes Burnout show you how to take charge of diabetes.

William H. Polonsky, Ph.D., C.D.E., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in San Diego. He has published and lectured widely on diabetes burnout and strategies for securing supportive environments for people with diabetes.