Health&Wellness Magazine November 2015 | Page 11

For advertising information visit www.samplerpublications.com or call 859.225.4466 | November 2015 Psychological Strategies in Managing Diabetes Seek balance between optimizing control and quality of life By Dr. Tom Miller, Staff Writer Diabetes is a chronic condition, and the responsibility for daily management of this illness shifts from the health care providers who diagnose and help develop a treatment plan to the individual with diabetes. Having a plan for managing one’s health is very important. A good patient works with providers to gain an understanding of the process of behavior change. Performing necessary self-care behaviors and using wellaccepted strategies in self-management can lead to good control of the disease. All of this must begin with welltrained, licensed health care providers. Individually focused counseling to help individuals deal with their condition and the stress diabetes may trigger is primary. Such interventions can assist in achieving a bala