107. Blood Sugar + Cognitive Function, plus Creatively Communicating Your T1D Needs

There’s no doubt that our blood sugars affect our mood and cognitive function, and in this week’s episode, I’m joined by Brea Di Dato, a family and psychiatric nurse practitioner in Oregon, for a conversation that is chalk full of wisdom. Our conversation includes her story of being diagnosed at age 38, her experience with neuropathy, anxiety, and more. She paints a vision of how our joy can coexist with suffering and that the goal of life is NOT an end to suffering. Brea also shares her expertise on the role between blood sugar, cognitive function, mood, and how to effectively communicate your “grumpy space” needs to your partner.Time Stamps:  (04:56) Weight Loss and Brain Fog: Her Diagnosis at 38 Years Old (08:20) Her First 6 Months of Diagnosis(10:05) Neuropathy (12:05) How She Approaches Her Patients Now Post Diagnosis (13:04) The Slippery Slope of Single Data Points (14:53) Safety & Taking Control of Anxiety With a New Diagnosis (17:43) Barriers to Living (19:40) First Steps: Validate the Grief (20:48) The Coexistence of Joy and Suffering (22:42) A Dead Person Goal(23:45) Growth, Change, and Discomfort (26:22) Distress and Burnout (30:15) Reaching Out for Help (33:18) Diabetes, ADHD, Blood Sugar and Cognitive Function(35:49) Blood Sugar and Mood (38:41) Creative and Effective Communication of Your Needs(42:32) I Don’t Need You to Fix ThisWhat to do now: For any person with Diabetes in Oregon who would like to talk to someone about their mental health, check out Brea’s business website https://www.pbh.health/Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop for when new episodes drop.Learn more about our coaching programs HERE. Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.