Neil Greathouse sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Bill Polonsky, founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute and one of the pioneers behind the concept of diabetes distress.
They unpack what diabetes distress really is (and what it isn’t), why it’s so common, and how both people with T1D and their caregivers can navigate the emotional weight of this disease without shame or burnout.
This conversation is equal parts validation and practical encouragement—proof that you’re not broken, you’re just managing something relentlessly difficult.
What You’ll Learn
• The difference between diabetes distress vs. depression—and why antidepressants don’t fix burnout
• How often people with T1D experience distress (spoiler: almost everyone does at some point)
• What the Type 1 Diabetes Distress Assessment System (T1-DDS) measures and how to use it
• Why caregivers—especially parents—experience their own version of distress
• How to rebuild hope and control when diabetes feels overwhelming
Take Action
👉 Take the free T1-DDS 7-question or 29-question assessment at diabetesdistress.org
to better understand your current level of distress.
👉 Share your results with your healthcare team or a friend who “gets it.”
👉 Remember: you’re not failing—you’re learning how to manage something relentless.
Resources
• T1-DDS Assessments & Research: diabetesdistress.org
• Your Best T1D Year newsletter + free resources: https://yourbestt1dyear.com
• Behavioral Diabetes Institute: https://behavioraldiabetes.org
Sponsor
💙 Blue Circle Health offers free coaching and care that fits real life.
Get matched with a real diabetes care team at https://bluecirclehealth.org
Connect
📱 Instagram → @thebetes
📱 TikTok → @the.betes
🌐 Website → https://yourbestt1dyear.com
Books by Neil Greathouse
📚 Type 1 Diabetes – One Day at a Time
📚 Type 1 Diabetes – True Stories
Available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible