Low blood sugar isn’t only a number—it’s an experience. When glucose drops, your body releases stress hormones (like adrenaline), and your brain gets less of the fuel it needs to think clearly. That combination can trigger panic, anger, denial, embarrassment, or an intense “I must eat NOW” feeling. If you’ve ever treated a low and later thought, “Why did I act like that?”—you’re not alone.

This page is about emotion control with lows: practical ways to stay safe, treat calmly, and reduce conflict with family, friends, and coworkers. It also covers fear of hypoglycemia and how to keep fear from pushing your glucose higher than you want.

Why do lows cause big emotions?

Two overlapping processes can drive emotional changes during hypoglycemia:

1) Stress hormones (the “alarm system”)

As glucose levels fall, your body releases hormones that raise glucose and signal danger. This can cause shakiness, sweating, a racing heart, and a feeling of urgency. Emotionally, it often feels like anxiety or panic.

2) “Brain low” effects (reduced brain fuel)

The brain relies heavily on glucose. When glucose levels are low, thinking and self-awareness can be impaired. That’s why people may:

feel irritable or suddenly emotional
argue or resist help (“I’m fine!”)
act impulsively (especially with food)
have poor judgment about safety (driving, stairs, tools, work tasks)

What are the most common emotional patterns during lows?

Panic and “urgent hunger”

Panic can lead to overtreating (eating far more carbs than needed), followed by rebound highs and another correction—creating a loop that reinforces fear. The goal is fast treatment without</em binging.

Anger and irritability

Many people become short-tempered or combative during lows. Loved ones may take it personally, but it’s often a temporary brain-and-hormone effect. (If this happens often, it’s a strong reason to tighten prevention and review settings.)

Denial and resistance

Some people insist they feel fine even when their behavior is clearly off. This is especially common with hypoglycemia unawareness.

Embarrassment and shame

Lows can happen at work, school, or in public. Feeling “different” can lead people to hide symptoms, delay treatment, or avoid activities. That avoidance can reduce quality of life—and sometimes increases risk.

Fear of hypoglycemia (FOH)

Fear can be protective (it motivates preparedness), but when fear is intense, it can push people to raise blood glucose higher than they want, avoid exercise, over-snack “just in case,” or underdose insulin.

What’s the best rule for preventing arguments during lows?

Treat first, talk later.

During a low is not the time for blame, lectures, or “I told you so.” Pick one calm goal: raise glucose. Conversations about what happened can wait until the person is clearly back to normal.

A simple “no-debate” script for families

Agree on this ahead of time (when glucose is normal):

Helper says: “I think you’re low. Let’s treat and recheck in 15 minutes.”
A person with diabetes says, “Okay—hand me the glucose tabs.”
Then: set a timer and recheck.

If the person refuses treatment and seems impaired, treat it as a safety issue, not a negotiation. If they cannot safely swallow or become unconscious, follow emergency steps (glucagon/911).

How can you prevent panic eating during a low?

Panic eating is common because lows create urgent hunger and impaired judgment. These steps reduce rebound highs and reduce fear over time:

1) Use “boring” fast carbs

Glucose tablets/gel (or other measured, fast carbs) work quickly and are less tempting to overeat. Keep them everywhere you might need them: bedside, pocket/purse, desk, car, and exercise bag.

2) Make your low treatment automatic

Use a repeatable plan (example: the 15-15 rule). Measured treatment beats guesswork.

3) Use a timer (seriously)

Most overtreatment happens because people re-treat too soon. Set a timer for 15 minutes (or long enough to see a clear upward trend on CGM) before deciding to eat more.

4) If you’re on AID, remember you may need fewer carbs

Many AID systems reduce insulin delivery as glucose falls. If you repeatedly rebound high after treating lows, it often means your treatment carbs are more than you need—especially if you treat early.

How should coworkers, teachers, and friends respond?

People around you want to help—but they need a simple plan. Consider sharing a short “low plan” with the people who matter most.

Workplace/school low plan:

If I say I’m low: I’ll treat immediately with fast carbs.
If I seem confused or unusually irritable: please ask me to check or treat. If you wear a CGM, you can explain alarms in one sentence: “That sound means I need sugar now.”
If I can’t swallow safely or pass out: call 911 and use glucagon if you’re trained.

How do you handle fear of hypoglycemia without running high all the time?

Fear of hypoglycemia is common—and understandable. The goal isn’t “no fear.” The goal is useful fear: enough to stay prepared, not so much that it drives your glucose management.

Try this “fear → plan” conversion

Fear thought: “What if I go low while driving?”
Plan: Check before driving, keep fast carbs within reach, don’t drive if dropping, recheck on long trips.

If fear is intense or life-limiting

If fear is driving you to keep glucose high, avoid exercise, avoid sleep, or avoid leaving home, it may help to talk with your diabetes clinician about a targeted approach (CGM settings, insulin adjustments, and, when appropriate, behavioral support such as cognitive behavioral therapy).

What should you do after a low (when your brain is back online)?

A quick, nonjudgmental review can reduce repeat lows and reduce fear. Keep it simple:

What likely caused it? (missed snack, too much insulin, surprise activity, alcohol, delayed meal)
What worked? (how many grams, how long to recover)
What will I do next time? (earlier treatment, different snack, adjusted plan for activity)

When should you get extra help?

Reach out to your clinician promptly if you have:

any severe low (needed help from another person)
lows you don’t feel (possible hypoglycemia unawareness)
frequent lows (for example, more than 1–2 per week)
fear, anxiety, or conflict that is affecting your quality of life or causing you to run high

If emotions around lows feel overwhelming, it can also help to ask for a referral to a diabetes-informed mental health professional. This is not “overreacting”—it’s part of comprehensive diabetes care.

Calm is a skill, and you can build it

Lows can change emotions because stress hormones rise, and the brain has less fuel. That’s why panic eating, denial, and conflict are so common. The most helpful approach is practical and repeatable: treat early with measured carbs, use a timer, and agree on a “treat first, talk later” rule with the people around you. With prevention, planning, and support, confidence grows—and fear shrinks.

Other Resources

Medical disclaimer: Educational content only. For seizures, unconsciousness, or inability to swallow safely, call emergency services. Review recurrent lows, severe lows, or intense fear with your diabetes clinician.

Last Updated on December 18, 2025

Contents hide

1 Why do lows cause big emotions?

1.1 1) Stress hormones (the “alarm system”)

1.2 2) “Brain low” effects (reduced brain fuel)

2 What are the most common emotional patterns during lows?

2.1 Panic and “urgent hunger”

2.2 Anger and irritability

2.3 Denial and resistance

2.4 Embarrassment and shame

2.5 Fear of hypoglycemia (FOH)

3 What’s the best rule for preventing arguments during lows?