How Do You Adjust to Having Diabetes?

By Robin Brain

How do you adjust to the diagnosis of diabetes or to being told that you have one or more of the complications of the disease?

Reacting To The Diagnosis
If you have just received the diagnosis of diabetes or if you have just heard of someone else with diabetes who is suffering from a variety of problems, you may be somewhat fearful. In any case, you know that having this disease will have a significant impact on your life and on your family's life. As our mentor, Dr. Robert L. Jackson, has stated, " This is a disease that has the potential of helping families to grow." As complicated as the management program may seem, Dr. Jackson feels that it can be basically simple: eating nutritious foods to meet the needs of growth and activity levels, taking the amount of medication needed to cover the food and activity, and testing to see whether the decisions have been correct.

When you are first diagnosed, it is not helpful to you when others say that at least it's better than having cancer (or some other disease), however true this may be. Even when they say, " You'll become more healthy because you'll learn how to really take care of yourself," it does not help at first. You're too emotionally involved to be ready to learn at this point. Perhaps you'll even find yourself saying some of these things to others about your diagnosis. Your family and friends may feel awkward around you. You can guide them by telling them that they don't need to say anything; they just need to support you. Simply saying "I'm sorry this has happened to you" or giving you a hug can be enough at this time.

Seek out support people: those with whom you can talk comfortably and to whom you can display your true feelings and thoughts.

Ask your family to keep junk food out of the house; to not tempt you by offering you sweets; to give you an injection now and then (if you were really ill, this would come in handy); to learn how to treat an insulin reaction; and, especially for immediate family members, to attend diabetes education classes with you.

When the emotional edge is less and you start asking questions, then go to a source to learn as much as you can.

If you feel that you really haven't adjusted to the diagnosis of diabetes or to having a complication of the disease, consider some other ways of thinking. Consider the ways of healthy living that are part of your control of diabetes. This knowledge could be shared with others. In the case of a complication, consider being grateful that the complication was discovered at an early stage, if true, or that stabilization of the complication is more possible now than it was 10 years ago. Consider talking to a counselor, pastor, or psychologist. There may never be an answer that satisfies you, but once you can accept the reality that you have diabetes or a complication, grasp this as a challenge, then get actively involved. As noted earlier, in some situations early diagnosis of a complication and improvement of diabetes control can reverse or slow the progress of the complication.

Read more on New Diabetic Information. Check out for Diabetic Supplies US and Specializing Diabetic Supplies.

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