About Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS)

This questionnaire is 28 questions long and covers Type 1 Diabetes Distress

DIRECTIONS: Living with type 1 diabetes can be tough. Listed below are a variety of distressing things that many people with type 1 diabetes experience. Thinking back over the past month, please indicate the degree to which each of the following may have been a problem for you by circling the appropriate number. For example, if you feel that a particular item was not a problem for you over the past month, you would circle "1". If it was very tough for you over the past month, you might circle "6".

Not a Problem

A Slight Problem

A Moderate Problem

Somewhat Serious Problem

A Serious Problem

A Very Serious Problem

1. Feeling that I am not as skilled at managing diabetes as I should be.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

2. Feeling that I don't eat as carefully as I probably should.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

3. Feeling that I don't notice the warning signs of hypoglycemia as well as I used to.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

4. Feeling that people treat me differently when they find out I have diabetes.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

5. Feeling discouraged when I see high blood glucose numbers that I can't explain.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

6. Feeling that my family and friends make a bigger deal out of diabetes than they should.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

7. Feeling that I can't tell my diabetes doctor what is really on my mind.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

8. Feeling that I am not taking as much insulin as I should.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

9. Feeling that there is too much diabetes equipment and stuff I must always have with me.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

10. Feeling like I have to hide my diabetes from other people.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

11. Feeling that my friends and family worry more about hypoglycemia than I want them to.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

12. Feeling that I don't check my blood glucose level as often as I probably should.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

13. Feeling worried that I will develop serious long-term complications, no matter how hard I try.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

14. Feeling that I don't get help I really need from my diabetes doctor about managing diabetes.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

15. Feeling frightened that I could have a serious hypoglycemic event when I'm asleep.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

16. Feeling that thoughts about food and eating control my life.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

17. Feeling that my friends or family treat me as if I were more fragile or sicker than I really am.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

18. Feeling that my diabetes doctor doesn't really understand what it's like to have diabetes.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

19. Feeling concerned that diabetes may make me less attractive to employers.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

20. Feeling that my friends or family act like "diabetes police" (bother me too much).

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

21. Feeling that I've got to be perfect with my diabetes management.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

22. Feeling frightened that I could have a serious hypoglycemic event while driving.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

23. Feeling that my eating is out of control.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

24. Feeling that people will think less of me if they knew I had diabetes.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

25. Feeling that no matter how hard I try with my diabetes, it will never be good enough.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

26. Feeling that my diabetes doctor doesn't know enough about diabetes and diabetes care.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

27. Feeling that I can't ever be safe from the possibility of a serious hypoglycemic event.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

28. Feeling that I don't give my diabetes as much attention as I probably should.

1Not a Problem

2A Slight Problem

3A Moderate Problem

4Somewhat Serious Problem

5A Serious Problem

6A Very Serious Problem

Links

Contact Us

Diabetes Distress Assessment and Resource Center
Behavioral Diabetes Institute
5230 Carroll Canyon Rd Ste. 208
San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 336-8693
info@behavioraldiabetes.org