Diabetes Burnout

EXCELLENT book for those living with diabetes. Diabetes burnout is very common. This book is full of tips, suggestions, and even tests, to help you in dealing with diabetes.

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Golden empathy at first but it only goes so deep

When I first saw the chapter for "Werewolf Syndrome" I knew I had to buy this book. It makes for an interesting read at first to learn about others' experiences. Though one thing the author fails to do is provide instruction on the process of motivation, and only provides a very shallow surface, if any, of scientific insight into why people get "burned out". I would suggest going to the book store and skimming this book to feel better about yourself but don't take it home with you.

One chapter he could've included would have been MY GENERAL PHYSICIAN HAS MISDIAGNOSED ME! I was burned out on my diabetes type II management. I couldn't get my sugars down! I would go to my GP and get the advice of take these pills and eat right. Then come back in three months we'll see if you're better. After two years I finally went to an endocronologist, *slap-slap*, and he is convinced I am type I LADA diabetes. Sure enough after a couple of insulin shots I am feeling normal! (Well, normal feels like a drug after having hyperglycemia for two years.) This is my chapter for the burnout book, sc$&@ the GP and go to an endocronologist.

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This book tells it like it is

When I picked up Diabetes Burnout, I was truly amazed. Dr. Polonsky understands that there are "barriers to self-care," real life problems and situations that get in the way of doing what's best for our bodies.

He knows that people make a cost/benefit analysis when it comes to self-care. If the behavior is too hard or too unpleasant, and the rewards don't seem worth it, we're not going to consistently exercise, check sugars, or eat what we're supposed to.

This problem is not just true for people with diabetes. It applies to anyone with chronic illness, or really, to anybody at all. I knew about this from living with multiple sclerosis, and I wrote about it in my book. But I didn't think anybody else had developed these ideas. I was sure Dr. Polonsky must have some kind of chronic condition himself, because he knows what it's like. But he doesn't have an illness. He's just very insightful.

I really like the humor in this book. I know some reviewers accuse him of being "cutesy" or Disneyfying diabetes, but I think being able to laugh at your situation helps, even when it's really painful. His description of "werewolf eating" and "Diabetes police" are highly evocative -- they get the point across. I don't think he's talking down to anyone -- he has compassion for people's struggles and wants us to feel better.

It's true that Diabetes Burnout does not cite its sources very well and doesn't contain a lot of specific info on diets or other self-care practices. But that's not its purpose. He is giving tools for identifying and overcoming our barriers -- social, practical, psychological or economic. This is important -- some of those barriers may have been with us for decades, and overcoming them can change not just diabetes management, but also entire lives.

He also inspires by telling stories of real people he has worked with, who have made great strides in difficult circumstances. It's entertaining, inspiring and educational (just like my book :-). What more do you want?

David Spero RN, author of The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness (Hunter House 2002) and the upcoming Politics of Diabetes: Social Causes, Costs and Cures of an Epidemic (2005). www.davidsperoRN.com

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