How do you find acceptance of your diabetes?
On finding acceptance and peace with my type 1 diabetes
But how do we find acceptance?
When it comes to psychological models of chronic health (that's right, yes hello, we've dived straight in), the one that speaks most to me is something called ACT, which stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In a nutshell, it helps people make sense of their world, and helps people navigate their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and the specific challenges they face.
It's what we call a third wave cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which basically means it's adapted and built on previous CBT models and interventions. Now you've most likely heard of CBT. It's pretty prevalent and is often seen as the gold standard model for 'treating' mental health issues. It helps people to reframe their thoughts and feelings in an effort to change behaviours.
I'm not a fan of CBT within a type 1 diabetes context. Caveat: if you've found it effective and supportive, then I'd never knock that, of course, but for me personally the method doesn't quite sit right. (More of this in another blog post).
I prefer ACT as it builds on CBT by adding nuance to an individual's situation. It prioritises the concept of acceptance which is super important in any health condition, but especially type 1 diabetes.
My clinical work is peppered with interventions and relational support that help my clients move towards their place of t1d acceptance, whatever that looks like for them.
These are some of the ways I find acceptance (& peace) with my diabetes each week:
Celebrating the wins, not just focusing on the challenges.
Remembering that life throws so much at us, I can’t focus on type 1 all of the time.
Repeating the mantra: I’m not aiming for 100%.
Moving my body for my insulin sensitivity AND my mind.
Dialling down the vigilance (where possible).
Resisting the temptation to ‘just work harder’.
Not equating my self worth to my blood sugar levels.