You may discover that loved ones that you assumed would be supportive are not at all supportive. Perhaps they show a lack of concern, or play the blame game, telling you that having diabetes is your fault. They do not understand how diabetes affects your physical or emotional health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that one of the best ways to predict how well a person will manage their diabetes is to learn how much support they receive from their family members. Similarly, researchers explain that loved ones can play a “vital role” in an individual’s diabetes management. They stress that loved ones often have a significant impact on the psychological well-being of the family member who has diabetes.
An article published by The Diabetes Council describes what a person who has diabetes revealed to a certified diabetes educator in a session. The person stated that she received no support from her husband, and that he had come home with a box of a dozen donuts the previous night.
What can you do to stay positive about managing your diabetes when your support is not supportive?
- Use “I” statements rather than “You” statements to help improve communication
- Tell your loved one how to support you, such as helping to inject insulin or going to appointments
- Explain to loved ones how being unsupportive affects someone who has diabetes
Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about counseling
