Whether to tell your friends about your diabetes is a tough call. But the disease is much easier if you don’t approach it alone, says the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Including others in your fight against diabetes can give you a valuable support system.
To build this system, you might first have to educate your friends and family. When people don’t understand something, they often feel uncomfortable or frightened. Tell your loved ones about diabetes and address the myths. For example, many people still believe that you get diabetes from eating too much sugar, or that you can catch it from someone else. Some still think type 2 diabetes is not a serious disease. Inform them of the complications that can arise if type 2 diabetes isn’t treated correctly.
You can also try lending your friends some books to read, or show them your favorite diabetes Web site or magazine.
If you’re on insulin, explain hypoglycemia to them and show them exactly what they can do if you ever need help.
Most of all, show your friends by example that you can have diabetes and live a very normal life.
Compiled from 101 Tips for Simplifying Diabetes by the University of New Mexico Diabetes Care Team. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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