Psychological Impacts of Continuous Monitoring

The Double-Edged Sword

CGM use is characterized by a trade-off between safety and surveillance.

Key Benefits

Reduced Fear of Hypoglycemia (FOH)

Predictive alarms provide reassurance, particularly for:

• Nighttime safety
• Driving confidence
• Exercise freedom

This significantly improves Quality of Life (QoL) for insulin-dependent users.

Empowerment

Real-time feedback loops help users understand:

• Direct impact of food choices
• Exercise effects on glucose
• Pattern recognition for better control

Key Risks

Diabetes Distress & Burnout

The relentless stream of data can lead to:

• Decision fatigue
• Moralization of glucose numbers (guilt/shame over spikes)
• Feeling that diabetes is "always on"

Alarm Fatigue

Frequent interruptions, especially false alarms, cause:

• Desensitization to alerts
• Sleep disruption
• Reduced quality of life

Remote Monitoring Tension

"Share" features can erode autonomy:

• Friction between patients and caregivers
• "Data policing" by family members
• Loss of privacy and independence

OTC/Wellness Anxiety

In non-diabetics, CGMs may fuel:

• Orthorexia: Obsessive "healthy" eating
• Anxiety over normal physiological spikes
• Pathologizing healthy metabolic function

Healthy CGM Use

Strategies for Balance

• Set reasonable time-in-range goals (not perfection)
• Customize alert thresholds to reduce fatigue
• Take intentional breaks from data viewing
• Focus on trends, not individual readings
• Seek support for diabetes distress