Diabetes diagnosis first reactions may be disbelief, sadness, anger or self-blame. If you feel this way, you are not alone.
life
with
diabetes
Diagnosed
Make a plan
Developing a plan for your health care —
including your emotional health — is essential.
Start small and work your way up. You might like
to include your family or friends in this process
too. Here are some tips to help get you started:
• Make an appointment with your health
professional to talk about your diabetes
(e.g., to discuss any questions or concerns
you have).
• Get information on
various topics (e.g., medication, insulin,
nutrition, events, support groups).
• Connect with other people living with diabetes.
• Talk to your school or employer about your
current issues, if it seems helpful, then work
with them to achieve the best results.
• Plan regular physical activity.
• Plan social activities – make sure you have
fun! Diabetes is just one aspect of your life,
so do not let it take over.
• Remember, do not let it take over your life.
Diabetes strategies
Talk with a professional
The strategies above may give you some ideas
about adjusting to life with diabetes, but they
cannot replace professional help. It is always a
good idea to talk about your concerns with your
diabetes health professional.
Who can help?
Your diabetes health professionals
Your diabetes health professionals are there
to help you with all aspects of your diabetes,
including how you feel about it. Share your
feelings with them if you feel comfortable to do
so—they will give you non-judgmental support
and advice. You may want to talk with your:
• general practitioner (GP)
• endocrinologist
• diabetes educator
• diabetes nurse practitioner
• dietitian.
For more information or to submit a request contact with us
Search for reliable sources
Take care when searching the internet for medical
advice. Make sure you consult reliable sources
(e.g., professional organisations).
Ask questions
Ask questions
At first you may feel overwhelmed with all the
information you receive and with learning new
skills to manage your diabetes. Sometimes,
writing a list of questions and concerns is useful
to get a better understanding of diabetes.
Bring this list along to your next diabetes
appointment so you do not forget the questions
or concerns you want to discuss with your health
professional.
You may not remember everything that has
been said during your previous consultation.
If you are unsure, ask again next time. Your health
professional will appreciate your questions, as
it will help them to offer you the best support
possible.
Learn from your peers
Learn from your peers
Experts are not the only health professionals.
Other people, like you, who have diabetes are
also experts in living with diabetes. Often, the
most practical support you can get is from
people who understand what it is like to live with
diabetes. It can be reassuring to know that others
face similar challenges and to share ideas about
how to cope with them.
Join a support group or an online community —
read on to find out where you can access peer
support.
Journal it
You might also like to note down your feelings
in a journal. This can be a powerful way of
understanding and dealing with some of your
emotions.
You might surprise yourself with what you write
down. This can be a private journal, or you may
choose to share it with a friend or your health
professional. It is completely up to you.
Include your family and friends
You do not have to go through this alone. Let
your family and friends know how you feel if you
are comfortable, so they can support you in your
diabetes management. Communicate how much
you want them to be involved and invite them
to share their feelings too