Topics: diabetes
People suffering from chronic health conditions feel pressurized. They already feel anxious about their illness, but society's harsh judgment and unsolicited advice make it even more difficult for them to deal with life. This is somewhat challenging as external pressure can make things overwhelming. Such is the case with type two diabetes patients.
People who have type two diabetes often report facing judgement. It can make them believe that they are incapable of taking care of their health and lead to feelings of shame and guilt. Because of this, diabetic patients can decide not to seek treatment.
So, to help them better deal with society's reactions, we have enlisted some tips. Have a glance!
1. Be Supportive / Stay Neutral
People consider type 2 diabetes to be a threatening disease. When they come across diabetic patients, more often than not, they offer unsolicited advice. They might say something that can make the patient and their family feel incapable of taking care of their health and well-being. The best way to deal with such individuals is to treat them kindly. If you come across such people, listen to their advice, educate them on their misconceptions, and behave kindly. This approach will aid you in solving things efficiently.
2. Educate Yourself
If you or your loved one is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, just worrying about the condition will not change anything. Instead, it would help if you took charge. If you have type 2 diabetes, your first step should be to enlighten yourself. You should learn everything about the condition, including why it is caused, the possible treatments, how can you manage it, and more. For this, you can either read books on diabetes or consult your doctor. Having the right answers will help you take care of yourself and come in handy when dealing with others.
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3. Trust Yourself
Once you have educated yourself about the condition, the next step is to feel confident about your experience. You should trust yourself and try to enlighten those around you. When people come to you and offer wrong advice, you should correct their misapprehensions. Remembering what you have learned and trusting you know what is best will be of immense help.
4. Don't Bother
While it is true that you should try to educate the misguided souls around you, it's not like it is your responsibility to correct their misunderstandings. We all know some people who wouldn't listen, no matter how hard you try to make them understand. Thus, choosing the ones you think are worthy of your effort is vital. People ready to listen and receive the information well should be your target. It would be best if you didn't bother about others.
5. Don't Be Ashamed
Diabetes has turned into a common condition in today's time. According to International Diabetes Federation, 77 million people in India in 2020 had this condition. So, even after taking all the preventions, you should not feel distressed if you were still diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There is nothing you need to be ashamed of, as having diabetes is similar to being diagnosed with any other health condition like heart disease or Alzheimer's. So, make it your mantra not to hide or let the guilt burden you.
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6. Make Boundaries
Although you have no control over what people think or say, you should still try to make some boundaries. You must not allow people to walk all over you because they seem concerned. If your friends or family are saying something that makes you anxious or adds to your stress, you should let them know. You should create firm boundaries and not allow people to cross them, if only for the sake of your mental peace.
7. March Forward
You indeed need to care about your health. You should exercise, meditate, and eat a healthy diet to ensure your well-being. However, if you still can't escape health problems, you should work on improving your condition rather than focusing upon what went wrong. Your main concern must be to learn ways to deal with your illness from that moment onwards. So, remember to take charge and march forward!
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8. Find a community
Knowing that you are not alone in your journey makes things easier. So, it will do you good to find people who have been through similar experiences as you. Such people may give you some tips on how to better deal with people's judgement, or at the least, they will share your concerns. Talking things out with them might help you deal with things in a better way.
So, type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition, and numerous people in today's world have this illness. Apart from the pressure of dealing with the health condition, these patients also need to learn to come to terms with other people's reactions. In addition, they need to educate themselves about the condition and trust their choices.
Disclaimer: The facts and information contained in this article are obtained from reputed medical research organizations and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & beliefs of ResMed. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content is for informational purposes only and because each person is so unique, please consult a healthcare professional for any medical queries.
