You walk in to your physician's chambers after a test. The physician informs you that you are diabetic. That comes as a shock to you. Your next questions are you sure, it can't be. But even a second test confirms that.
What do you do? There is so much information floating around about diabetes that most if not many think it as a 'death warrant'. Immediate thoughts are about people who had diabetes undergoing all kinds of treatment, medications, restrictions, complications such non healing of ordinary wounds, and also how it impedes other treatment and so on.
Yes it is difficult to cope with the diagnosis of diabetes. Most refuse to believe that they could be the carrier of diabetes. They spend money in getting it checked again and again in despair. Ultimately, when it is sufficiently confirmed, they fall into despair. And despair leads to depression. Visions of impairment, incapacity to do certain things, and other similar thoughts crowd the mind, leading to depression. The American Diabetes Association has studies to prove that diabetes are greater risk of falling into depression - itself another disease.
Loss of appetite, inability to concentrate, lack of interest in day to day activity, inability to sleep, or disturbed sleep pattern, including excessive sleep are some of the symptoms that are indicative of depression. What is not realised that depression combined with diabetes is a dangerous condition.
If you are one such person and suffer from signs of depression, you should consult your physician to help you, or refer you to a therapist who is cognizant of the disease, and who can perhaps help you. Seeking help does not mean you are helpless. On the other hand, seeking help means you want support from experts who could help you through the phase your are undergoing. Remember that you are one of the many thousands who suffer from this disease, and who have successfully overcome the present phase you are in, and are now leading healthy lives.
There are support groups available consisting of people like you, who have diabetes, and many of them have been through the trauma you are now undergoing. Talking it out with them will act as a balm for your "why me" syndrome.
Diabetes is not a life threatening disease, any more. It can be controlled provided you are ready to make some alterations to your lifestyle. Your lifestyle undergoes only minor changes and not major ones. The more you learn about it, the more you will find that it is controllable, without any major changes in your lifestyle. Yes, there will be restrictions and pills to take. But it is not the end of the world for you. Learn from various sources. Get in touch with the American Diabetes Foundation, or visit their website. Learn what it is all about, and what are the medications available. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that nearly 95 per cent of the diabetics lead normal lives. The more you learn about the disease, the better you will feel.
Control of diabetes has come to such an advanced stage that individuals need not give up their favorite foods or their leisure time activities. of course there are new medications to take, more frequent tests, and several visits to the physician before your ideal medication combination is arrived at. This itself is stressful. But take it in your stride. Don't feel helpless, because there is no need to. There are enough diabetics around. All you have to do is to get in touch with them. The American Diabetes Association is one such organisation, and they will be happy to help.
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