Blog - Diabetes Information, Symptoms & Diagnoses
Dealing with a Diabetes Diagnosis
The moment that a healthcare professional (HCP) confirms a diabetes diagnosis for yourself or a loved one is life-changing. It’s important to acknowledge all the feelings that may come up after you’re diagnosed. You might experience anger, anxiety, and even fear or grief, among many other feelings.1
It can also feel overwhelming to figure out what a diabetes diagnosis means for you, what lifestyle adjustments you’ll need to make, and how to manage diabetes over the long term. The general advice is to take things slowly. There are plenty of resources that can help you set off on your diabetes journey with confidence.
Accept Your Diabetes Diagnosis with Compassion
It may take some time to accept a diabetes diagnosis fully. However, acceptance allows you to focus on seeking out tools and resources and explore ways to care for yourself as you embark on your diabetes journey. Finding supportive emotional coping strategies is one of the ways you can care for yourself in the early days after diagnosis. When you’re taking those first few steps, there are a few things that are helpful to keep in mind.
1. A Diabetes Diagnosis is Not Your Fault
2. Moving Through Denial is Part of the Process
3. Supporting Your Mental Health is Key
Prioritise Diabetes Education
Diabetes education can help you make more supportive choices when it comes to your health and give you a chance to engage in productive discussions about your treatment with your HCP.
Learning more about the condition, asking questions, and understanding how diabetes affects you in unique ways can empower you to take control of your diabetes management. The following are a few excellent sources of diabetes education.
1. Your Health Care Professional (HCP)
2. Structured Diabetes Education Programmes
3. Reliable Online Education Resources
Find Emotional and Mental Health Support
When it comes to facing any mental health challenges that may come up in the wake of a diabetes diagnosis, know that there are plenty of resources available to support you. Talking about your diabetes with others is an important first step and can help you feel a little less burdened by the responsibility of managing diabetes.12 Here are some places where you can find a safe space to talk about your feelings.
1. Get in touch with a therapist or counsellor
2. Lean on friends and family
3. Join diabetes communities
Taking the Next Steps on Your Diabetes Journey
It takes a lot of courage to accept your diagnosis, make changes to your way of life, and commit to your diabetes treatment plan. Make sure you give yourself credit and congratulate yourself for persevering through all you’ve experienced so far.
The steps you take along your diabetes journey should be a collaboration between you and your HCP. They can help you address issues that come up and explore treatment options and supportive technologies, including the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems.
Connecting with the diabetes community can also help you navigate a diagnosis. Our Dexcom Warriors have been through the same thing you have and continue to meet the challenges of living with diabetes with strength and confidence. Become a Dexcom Warrior, follow along with Warrior stories, and participate in the conversation across social media.
References and Footnotes
1 Coping with a diabetes diagnosis. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
2 Research spotlight: What causes type 1 diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
3 Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
4 Diabetes and Blame – Is it my fault?. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated January 25, 2023.
5 Brown A, et. al. Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;47:101408. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101408
6 The 5 Stages of Grief. National Health Service Leicestershire Partnership. Accessed April 10. 2023.
7 Dealing with Denial. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated January 25, 2023.
8 Diabetes and Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated November 3, 2022.
9 Doing a type 1 diabetes course. National Health Service. Updated July 6, 2021.
10 Finding help and support. National Health Service. Updated August 18, 2020.
11 Diabetes Education and Self-management Programmes. Patient. Updated July 12, 2022.
12 Talking about your diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
13 Friends, Family, and Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 20, 2022.
1 Coping with a diabetes diagnosis. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
2 Research spotlight: What causes type 1 diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
3 Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
4 Diabetes and Blame – Is it my fault?. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated January 25, 2023.
5 Brown A, et. al. Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;47:101408. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101408
6 The 5 Stages of Grief. National Health Service Leicestershire Partnership. Accessed April 10. 2023.
7 Dealing with Denial. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated January 25, 2023.
8 Diabetes and Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated November 3, 2022.
9 Doing a type 1 diabetes course. National Health Service. Updated July 6, 2021.
10 Finding help and support. National Health Service. Updated August 18, 2020.
11 Diabetes Education and Self-management Programmes. Patient. Updated July 12, 2022.
12 Talking about your diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed April 10, 2023.
13 Friends, Family, and Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 20, 2022.