Because everyone has their own experience and understanding of diabetes, I would encourage a little self-reflection here as we begin. What is diabetes to you?
People with diabetes can also experience a lot of emotions along their journey. Can you remember how you felt when you were first diagnosed? Some common experiences may be:
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Denial
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Anger
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Frustration
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Fear
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Guilt
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Sadness
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Overwhelm
What are your feelings today about diabetes and having to adjust to your condition? How do you think these feelings impact your ability to make the lifestyle changes necessary to optimize your glucose values? Do these feelings motivate you or do they leave you feeling “stuck” in your situation?
Whatever your feelings, know that they are valid. Giving yourself the space to process these feelings can be an important part of the journey for some people in order to be able to collect themselves and move forward.
Our goal is for you to feel educated and empowered by the end of this education series. We hope you’ll be feeling things like:
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Strength
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Hope
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Confidence
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Excitement
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Motivation
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Optimism
Tips for reducing stress and other emotions will be discussed in Chapter 6, but if you feel you need additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or professionals for help.
Next: Goal Review