Getting newly diagnosed with a life-long condition like diabetes can be a massive shock to most people and take considerable time to come to terms with. Regardless of whether you’ve been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, it’s essential that you understand that any feelings you might be experiencing are entirely valid and that you’re not alone in your diagnosis.
In the UK alone, 4.9 million individuals live with diabetes, and many more are living undiagnosed or with an increased risk of developing the condition. In the first couple of weeks or months into your diagnosis, you and those closest to you will likely have a lot of unanswered questions going around in your head and how your condition will affect your future.
Sometimes it might feel like you’re not getting the answers you want quickly enough and need some support. Therefore, we’ve created this article outlining several pieces of advice to help you cope with your new diagnosis and where you can find relevant support – keep reading to find out more.
Conduct Research About Your Diagnosis
Understanding your new diagnosis is half the battle towards coming to terms with it, which is why it is essential that you conduct relevant research about your condition in the first few weeks/months that you’ve been diagnosed.
Researching your condition is beneficial for many reasons, from helping you gain a more positive outlook on your health issues, helping you better understand what changes your body is going through, improving services/treatments for you and future generations, and much more.
You can do this by consulting reputable sources like your GP’s office, any handouts or leaflets they might provide you, or using online resources from companies that offer medical products and services like Air Liquide Healthcare.
Air Liquide Healthcare provides support and medical services/products to diabetes patients across the UK, from online articles explaining diabetes to distributing related products like insulin pumps. Consider visiting Air Liquide Healthcare’s website for more information today and see how their resources could better help you come to terms with your new diagnosis.
Keep Track Of Your Emotions
Being diagnosed with a life-long condition like diabetes can affect people in many ways. One day you might feel angry or depressed, and the next, you might feel optimistic and motivated to discover more about your condition.
Due to this, it is essential that you keep track of your emotions so that you know when to reach out to people around you and minimise the risk of mental health issues like anxiety or depression. You can keep tabs on your emotions in various ways, from starting a mood journal, talking to someone you trust, or joining local support groups.
All these can help you navigate the complex emotions swirling around in your head after your diagnosis until you adjust to your new condition and feel more confident in coping with the newfound changes and challenges diabetes throws you.
Talk To A Professional
Alternatively, suppose you feel like you are struggling to come to grips with your new diagnosis. In that case, consider reaching out to a professional like a counsellor to discuss your struggles further. You can find counsellors that offer one-to-one sessions, or if you feel too anxious to go alone, you could participate in group therapy or bring a loved one to your sessions for moral support.
