Diagnosed with Diabetes
Most people who find out they have been diagnosed with diabetes generally express anger, shock, fear, even denial, while others are relieved at first to find out that it is at least something treatable. What’s more, depression can set in easily, and early on in the diagnosis.
Although having diabetes is a serious medical issue, it does not mean that you have to stop living your life. With the help of friends, family, and a good treatment team for support, you can continue to live a happy and productive life. The only difference will be in how you choose to live it. Here is a bit of information to help you on your road to a new and healthy way of life.
As mentioned above, depression is a common reaction after one is diagnosed with diabetes. Although this disease is quite treatable, people often become depressed because of the massive changes that some may need to make in their lives. These feels are a very natural and common reaction. However, if your depression persists beyond six to twelve months then you should talk to your doctor about counseling as it may help you adjust with a more positive feeling to your new life.
What’s more, counseling is a very important part of any diabetes treatment team. Because for most people that are diagnosed with diabetes a major life change must be undertaken, the need for help during the process is needed. Counseling can give you that help by showing you the positive sides, helping you plan out this new life, and by just being there to talk to when you need it. And while you also have a need for support from your family and friends, they most often are just as alarmed as you and in the beginning that will only make talking to them harder.
Keeping your family up to date about your medical condition and treatment is very important as is talking to them about your fears and expectations, however, getting informed and knowing how to answer their questions will help you and them cope with the changes in your life. You can find a lot of information on the internet as well as through your treatment team.
Your medical team will generally consist of your primary doctor, a physician that specializes in diabetes, a diabetes nurse educator, dietitian, podiatrist, ophthalmologist, and of course a counselor. Each one of these medical specialists will have specific areas that they can help you in. And just knowing that you have such a dedicated team working for you can help you fell more secure with your diagnosis. What’s more, they are there to help you with not just medical care but also with education on your diabetes.
Here is just a brief list of what you can expect:
• Helping you realize that accepting your disease is just the first step
• Teaching you about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime in keeping your diabetes under control.
• Show you how to monitor your blood glucose levels and apply the results to our day to day life.
• And from you they will expect that you will attend regularly scheduled appointments as well as take all medications as prescribed.
The best information to remember is that you can live a productive life with diabetes, there is a lot of information and help out there to guide you through it, and that you are not alone. So many people just in the United States alone are diagnosed with and are living with diabetes today. Each and every one of them knows what it feels like to hear those words for the first time. And because of that, there are many support groups out there that you may find helpful.
You can find support groups in our own community, online, at your hospital, and many other places. For more information, contact the American Diabetes Association. They have a great message board where you can find others who are living with diabetes. It is a great place to share stories and ideas for you and your family. What’s more, there are also great support groups for your family.
Although it is you that has the disease, your family also has to go through the steps of coping and living with it. Because of this, they also may need some support on how to do this. In the end, if you and your family are able to better support each other, the process of changing your life will go much smoother and will help you in the future.