I like this way of thinking about it! There’s always more to learn, and I do love learning.
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@RachelMaraii, I am sorry you are struggling right now. It sounds like you have a lot hitting you at once, but that you have quite a few tools in your toolkit to start to get your arms around everything. One resource I might try looking for would be a therapist that could specifically talk about chronic disease/diabetes. When I first moved to Boston (this was a long time ago! – 28 years ago) and dealt more with the Joslin, I saw a great therapist there who helped me think through some of the longer-term issues I was having a tough time reconciling. I don’t know if a CDE-type person would be a good resource for this, or a more clinically-oriented therapist (I’ve put the Joslin link below to give you an idea of their department). Sending you the biggest hugs xoxo - Jessica
https://joslin.org/services/adult-diabetes/behavioral-health
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That sounds like it would be awesome. It helps to remember that experts in exactly this exist, it’s just a matter of connecting. Thank you, and everyone, for your support! 
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Seconding this recommendation. After my diagnosis I met with a therapist who specializes in dealing with chronic diseases, and who also has T1D. It was extremely worthwhile. We all burn out, get overwhelmed, and sometimes end up locked in patterns of activity that aren’t productive but that we also don’t know how to break. It helps to get a compassionate and knowledgeable outside perspective combined with practical tips on managing the emotional side of the disease.
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Thank you! This does sound like it would be so helpful. And it’s always comforting to remember that I’m not alone – we all go through some of these ups and downs. 
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Oh yes - think I’m a bit obsessive about my blood sugar numbers. It takes so much effort and time to keep in a good range. Whenever I hit a low then my blood sugar goes sky high even when I’ve only had a small amount of juice. Have learned to up my basal rate pretty fast if I go low.
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I’ve been thinking about this experience this week, because I can feel the seasons shifting. I’m hoping to be more proactive this year, and hopefully avoid the worst of my symptoms. 
I got a new counselor partway through last winter, and she was amazing. I thought I’d share some of my experience and the tips that have helped me, in case anyone else experiences seasonal affective disorder (or anxiety, or dissociation) too.
I’d love anyone else’s experiences if you feel like sharing!
- Talk with your doctor about any distressing symptoms.
- I talked with my endo about my low blood sugars… and she helped me adjust my basals so I experience fewer lows. I used to average 5% Low and 2% Very Low, and now I average 2% Low and 1% Very Low.
- I talked with my PCP about my anxiety symptoms… and he started me on an SSRI that has helped immensely. Situations and thoughts that used to be completely paralyzing now hardly faze me.
- I talked with my EAP counselor about last year’s SAD symptoms and dissociation… and she helped me experiment with strategies to ground myself and get through the distressing moments.
- Try a SAD lamp. I have the Verilux Happy Light Duo. This website has a full breakdown of options: Best SAD Light Therapy Lamps of 2025: The Scientific List!
- I set a yearly calendar reminder in mid-August to start using my SAD lamp, and I’ll phase it out in early April. I use it for half an hour to an hour every day. I keep it at work, so on weekends I go outside for at least that long to see natural sunlight.
- If people see you using it, you might find out you know lots of people in the SAD club. I think mental health visibility is a good thing!
- Experiment with mindfulness and/or grounding practices. Remember that they’re “practices,” and they take work to get good at. They also should be practiced all the time, not just when we’re struggling. Practicing even when we’re doing well helps reinforce them as the default mode for our brains in times of struggle. Some of my personal favorites are:
- Guided meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Somatic movement (yoga, tai chi, etc.)
- Box breathing
- 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercises
- Touch or taste something strong (like gripping a bottlecap in my hand or eating a sour candy)
- Journaling
- Set a timer to remind you that the sensations will pass. I still do this all the time with Very Low blood sugars. I know that the worst of the symptoms usually pass after 7 minutes… so when it feels like it’s going to last forever, the timer tells me otherwise.
- I use the free version of the Finch app for to-do lists, and it also has built-in tools for checking in with yourself too
- Remember that something is better than nothing. Even a smidge of a good thing is still a good thing.
- When struggling, I can’t get my brain to commit to a 20-minute yoga video. Maybe I can commit to a 1-minute chair yoga video though. And sometimes after that, I want to do more. I may not feel like flossing, but if I put toothpaste on my toothbrush and swish it around a little… it’s something.
- How to Keep House While Drowning by K. C. Davis is an excellent read.
- Accept support and practical help. It strengthens our relationships on both sides to give and receive support of all kinds.
- Just venting, grocery pickup, catching up on dishes, sharing a meal, helping you research a doctor on your insurance, sitting with you to watch an episode of a comfort show… Ask for anything, and I bet you’ll be surprised by the response.
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Totally with you in the frustration on both ends of the roller coaster, been on it for 55 years. I’m very guilty of overeating both ends too.
been on the Tandem /Dexcom pair since January and it’s been a game changer, going from maybe 60% time in range to just last week hitting 80%. I’ve had the best support from a diabetes educator here in Saskatchewan (having lived most my life in the US I have to rave about my care here). We had for months weekly / weekly calls and making small adjustments. I have to admit getting fuzzy on the mix of basal rate, correction factors, and insulin/carb ratio but the latest changes in the latter have helped.
I still make mistakes when I wake at 3am with the thing reading 14, and suggesting only 4 units.
it still seems so variable, like days I feel like routine is the same, and some are nice within range days and other days it spikes without seeming reason.
I also sometimes don’t take in account the when low, a dextrose or juice might get me out of the clanging red, but it can also drop again. I was doing intensive outdoor labor Sunday, and even in exercise mode, I sunk 3 times in 6 hours. Down, up, down, up.
Sounds like you are on a good course, just wanted to say it can take a long time, and it’s always (for me at least) got some random unexpected turns.
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