ADHD and type 1 diabetes
Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires constant management and vigilance. ADHD can add challenges and complications to daily T1D management. But with support and additional resources, many people with both T1D and ADHD can manage their diabetes effectively.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s defined by the way that people behave. For example, some people might have difficulty paying attention (inattention) or might struggle to sit still for long periods of time (hyperactivity).
Most people with ADHD have a combination of both inattention and hyperactivity difficulties, which is known as combined type ADHD. Others may have one side that is dominant, either inattentive or hyperactive type ADHD.
How might ADHD impact someone with diabetes?
Many people with ADHD manage their T1D very effectively. However, there are some ways that ADHD might cause additional challenges if you live with type 1 diabetes.
Difficulty focusing
If you have ADHD, you might find that you are easily distracted from the things you need to do to manage your T1D or forget to do them. This is particularly an issue because T1D care involves tasks that are often repetitive, boring, and don’t have any immediate payoff.
Difficulty planning
Being organized can be difficult if you have ADHD. You may find it difficult to remember to order your diabetes supplies before they run out. You might also find it hard to establish and keep to a routine. Structuring your environment in a way that helps your T1D management may be difficult too, for example keeping your diabetes kit somewhere easy to find or remembering whether or not you have administered insulin.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity can also be a part of living with ADHD. This can show in diabetes management as eating before taking a bolus insulin dose (the dose given before a meal), guessing at a random amount of insulin for a bolus injection (sometimes called ‘rage bolusing’), snacking without injecting and overtreating hypos.
Emotional regulation
People with ADHD often find it difficult to manage stress and strong emotions. This means that they might be more vulnerable to experiencing issues like diabetes distress and diabetes burnout.
Hyperfocus
Many people with ADHD find that they ‘hyperfocus’ on certain activities. They become fixated on one thing, and can ignore other things they need to do, like eat or sleep. This might result in ignoring glucose alarms, forgetting to eat, or putting off other tasks related to your T1D management.
Sleep problems
Many people with ADHD struggle to sleep enough, or at the right times. Over time, this can cause disruptions in people’s blood glucose and contribute further to difficulties focusing.
Relationships with other people
People with ADHD may struggle to pay attention during medical appointments or diabetes education sessions, thereby being less likely to recall what they’ve been advised. Sometimes difficulties managing diabetes because of their ADHD can be misinterpreted by healthcare providers as the person being ‘unmotivated’ or deliberately ignoring their management, when this isn’t the case.
Where can I find support?
Talk to your Diabetes Healthcare Team if you are struggling to manage your ADHD and T1D. If you think that you may have ADHD but haven’t had a diagnosis, speak to your primary care physician.
Some further resources for managing ADHD can be found at:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder
https://www.caddra.ca/
This content was created by Dr. Jacq Allan, Psychologist: Children’s Diabetes Team for Breakthrough T1D UK and has been reviewed by ADHD UK and was adapted by Breakthrough T1D Canada. It does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your child’s diabetes healthcare team if you need support with their T1D care.