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Diabetes is not just a physical condition. It demands daily decisions, self-control, and constant vigilance. This mental load can wear people down over time. What many don't realise is that good emotional well-being is a hidden superpower in the fight against diabetes. On World Mental Health Day 2025, Dr V Mohan, Chairman and Chief Diabetologist of Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, shares how mental resilience can strengthen diabetes management, what signs signal trouble, and what tools you can use to support your mind and body together. Studies show that people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety than those without diabetes. And burnout, a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, is increasingly recognised as a real risk for people managing long-term chronic illnesses like diabetes. Below are five key aspects of how mental health and diabetes intersect and how nurturing your emotional well-being can strengthen your physical health. THE HIDDEN TOLL: DIABETES IS A DAILY MENTAL MARATHON Each day, people with diabetes must monitor, measure, adjust, and often worry about their health. This constant attention can lead to emotional fatigue. Dr V Mohan calls it "diabetes burnout" when stress, anxiety, or frustration push you off your routine, making it hard to eat well, exercise, or stick to medications. Burnout is distinct from general depression or diabetes distress. Research has shown that burnout is uniquely tied to the continual demands of managing diabetes care. SPOT THE WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THEY SPIRAL According to Dr Mohan, some red flags that your mental health needs care are:

• Constant fixation on blood sugar values
• Irritability, feeling defeated or overwhelmed
• Skipping medicines or abandoning healthy habits
• Withdrawing from friends, hobbies, and routines
• Physical symptoms like palpitations or changes in bowel habits

These signs often signal that the stress of disease management is becoming overwhelming. THE VICIOUS CYCLE: HOW POOR MENTAL HEALTH WORSENS DIABETES Mental health struggles don't just affect your mood; they can hurt your diabetes control. When you're stressed or burnt out, you're more likely to slack on self-care, skip medication, or indulge in comfort foods. Over time, that can lead to worsened blood sugar, complications, and greater emotional distress in return. One University of Michigan-led study found that chronic diabetes complications and mental health conditions intensify each other: people with complications were up to three times more likely to also have anxiety or depression. Small, consistent habits can protect both mind and body. As Dr Mohan recommends:

• Move Your Body: Walk for 30 minutes daily to lift mood and support glucose control.
• Breathe: Practice 5-10 minutes of breathing exercises, pranayama, or meditation to calm stress.
• Connect: Talk honestly with family or friends when overwhelmed; sharing your burden helps.
• Ask for Help: A therapist or counsellor isn't a luxury in many cases; it's life-changing.
• Monitor and Adjust: Schedule "check-ins" with yourself. How are you feeling today? What support do you need?

These steps strengthen emotional resilience, making diabetes self-care easier, not harder. WHY MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT AN ADD-ON - IT'S CORE TO DIABETES CARE Good mental health should not be seen as an extra; it is integral to manage diabetes. When your mind is strong, you're more consistent, more motivated, and more capable of handling the ups and downs of glucose swings, medications, diet changes, and complications. Dr Mohan's message is clear: "Caring for your mind isn't a luxury; it's essential diabetes care. You can feel better physically when you are strong emotionally." Embracing mental health as part of your diabetes plan isn't just kind to your soul, it's powerful medicine.