Living with Type 2 Diabetes 

 

How You Feel
Being told that you have a chronic disease is never easy. One day it seems you have a clean bill of health (though you may have suspected that something wasn’t right) and the next day you have a condition for the rest of your life. Don’t despair, now that you know you have diabetes you’ve taken a major step towards being in control and on top of your health.

It can be tough to be optimistic initially. You’re possibly somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between panic and denial, however you may be relieved to finally know why you’ve been feeling unwell.

All of these emotions are normal. In fact, you can anticipate moving through several emotional stages after being diagnosed. It might be helpful to consider the following:

  • View your emotions as progress. All your feelings are natural and an important part of an ongoing process. It’s an indication that you’re working through them and learning to manage and live with diabetes.
  • Talk to someone. Sharing how you feel with a loved one, joining a support group or attending an education session about diabetes, in which you can meet others with diabetes, can help put your feelings in perspective and make you feel connected and supported.
  • Think short-term. You may feel overwhelmed by the changes you need to make in your life, the new self-care skills you have to learn and the volume of medical information you need to absorb. Eventually it will all seem second nature. But for now, focus on an immediate goal (i.e. “Today I’ll meet my dietitian”).
  • Take action. The key is not to let your diabetes diagnosis overwhelm you. The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll feel in control of your diabetes and the sooner you will start to feel better.

Source: Taking Charge of Diabetes, Reader's Digest

 

Take Charge
Until a cure is found, if you have diabetes you have it for life. The good news is that by controlling your blood glucose levels you can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious health problems associated with diabetes.

Bringing diabetes under control is key and there’s no one better qualified to do it than you. Taking charge of diabetes doesn’t have to be a full time job, but you do have to be mindful of it 24/7, whether you’re eating, working or going to bed. You’ll have a team of people to help you, including your doctor, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, dietician, podiatrist and eye specialist.

Source: Taking Charge of Diabetes, Reader's Digest
 
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Register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you are eligible to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). It is free to register and provides subsidised products to people with diabetes.

 

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Become a member of Diabetes Tasmania
Membership provides access to many valuable services and benefits available only to people who pay an annual subscription fee to be a member of the Diabetes Australia organisation in their state or territory.

 

Contact Diabetes Tasmania to become a member by phoning 1300 136 588.

 

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