Scott K. Johnson

The hypoglycemia fear syndrome

In this episode of BDI Briefs, we dive into causes, symptoms, and strategies for managing fear of hypoglycemia for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Learn about the Be Safe and Feel Safe strategies, the importance of diabetes technology, and how to regain confidence in blood sugar management.

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Scott K. Johnson

Who moved the goalposts?

Welcome to another episode of BDI Briefs! Our aim with BDI Briefs is to take a brief look at important issues about the emotional side of diabetes. In this short discussion, Scott, Bill, and Susan ask whether striving for better-than-standards diabetes management is really worthwhile? Or could it have unintended consequences?

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Scott K. Johnson

When providing helpful information isn’t enough: A web-based intervention to address insulin worries

Welcome to another episode of BDI Briefs! Our aim with BDI Briefs is to take a brief look at important issues about the emotional side of diabetes. In this short discussion, Scott, Bill, and Susan have a thought-provoking discussion exploring a groundbreaking study titled “Is insulin right for me?”, which delves into the challenges of encouraging people with type two diabetes to consider insulin as a treatment option. The study involved a web-based intervention, and the results were surprising in ways that challenge conventional thinking.

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Scott K. Johnson

What to do about problematic medication taking?

Welcome to another episode of BDI Briefs! Our aim with BDI Briefs is to take a brief look at important issues about the emotional side of diabetes.

In this short discussion, Scott, Bill, and Susan explore problematic medication taking and what you can do about it. You may be surprised by some insights – I know I was! 

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Scott K. Johnson

Forget about horses

I understand backup plans are a necessary part of living with diabetes. Whether you realize it or not, every time you do something, you think about the worst-case scenario with your diabetes and have a handful of solutions ready. It becomes automatic. Almost subconscious even. But don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know horses.

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Image of Scott, Bill, and Susan talking about evidence-based hope in diabetes
Scott K. Johnson

Evidence-based hope in diabetes

One of our favorite subjects at BDI is evidence-based hope! We meet people with diabetes every day who are discouraged and beaten down because they feel hopeless that diabetes will cause terrible things to happen to them. We don’t think that has to be true. Instead, we like to talk about what we call evidence-based hope.

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Cake with 43 on it
Scott K. Johnson

Why I celebrate my diaversary

April marked my 43rd year with type 1 diabetes. I do think of it as a time to celebrate in a way. I don’t throw a party, or even do anything outside of my normal routine – but I do take a little bit of time to pat myself on the back and acknowledge a job mostly well done.

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Scott K. Johnson

Good news about hypoglycemia awareness

Welcome to episode 3 of BDI Briefs! Our aim with BDI Briefs is to take a brief look at important issues about the emotional side of diabetes. In this short discussion, Scott, Bill, and Susan discuss some good news about the fear of hypoglycemia.

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Abstract image of oil paint
Scott K. Johnson

Fighting with perfection

Diabetes is a thing surrounded by numbers. Everything is a number or is used in a calculation. We have blood sugars, units of insulin, and grams of carbohydrates. Then we take those numbers and stick them into more numbers. There is the insulin-to-carb ratio, the duration of insulin action, our correction factor, and more.

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Painting of a bowl of soup with crackers
Scott K. Johnson

Bested by a can of soup

I had tomato soup with crackers for dinner recently. While cooking, I grew increasingly frustrated with counting the carbs until I finally fell apart. It went something like this.

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Scott K. Johnson

It’s not normal

Let me be clear from the start. I am thankful for every piece of medical equipment, technology, milligram, microgram, and unit of medicine I use. I am fortunate to have reasonable access to almost everything I need. I am blessed even to be alive. It wasn’t that long ago that people with diabetes didn’t live long. But…

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Scott K. Johnson

Empathy and longevity in diabetes with BDI Briefs

Introducing BDI Briefs I’m very excited to share the first episode of BDI Briefs! Together with Dr. Bill Polonsky and Dr. Susan Guzman from the Behavioral Diabetes Institute, our aim with BDI Briefs is to take a brief look at important issues about the emotional side of diabetes.

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Scott K. Johnson

Patient voice, speaker, writer, and advocate. Living life with diabetes and telling my story. All opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent the position of my employer.

Diagnosed in April of 1980, I recognize the incredible mental struggle of living with diabetes. Read more…