The relentless rollercoaster that is Type 1 diabetes

Another new image to illustrate and raise awareness of the relentless blood sugar ups and downs you live with when you have type 1 diabetes and how that impacts your mental health. In the past, I survived by ignoring it. My self-taught mental health regime was to have a stiff upper lip, take my insulin (the same dose each day) and don’t think about it too much. I was diagnosed when I was 25 and this approach worked (kind of) through my 20s and 30s, but into my 40s the long term physical complications kicked in and after operations on my shoulders, fingers and eyes, I’m taking a lot more care now I'm in my 50s. It's not just about taking the time, doing the sums and making sure each day that insulin doses and carbohydrates are worked out carefully. It's also being aware of the varied and sometimes powerful diabetes-related emotions and the importance of doing whatever is needed to ease the pressure on my mental health.