Your Own Feelings | Emotional Support | Coping w/ Diabetes
Coping with Diabetes
Whether your loved one just learned that they have diabetes or whether they've been living with it for years, each person with diabetes tends to live in one of three distinct phases. Through patient research these three phases have been identified as those that a person with diabetes goes through in coping with and managing the disease.
During each phase, your loved one needs encouragement and inspiration. At best, they need personal interaction with a team of informed, understanding medical professionals who will help them make good lifestyle decisions.
Phase One - I Have What?
Mary Ann has just been told by her physician that she has Type 2 diabetes.*
"I can't believe this is happening to me. It just can't be. I'm so confused and don't know where to turn. I don't want to change my life just because I have some disease. Where do I begin?"
When people with diabetes enter Phase One, they are shocked, confused, and are in a general state of denial. With a myriad of questions, they are hungry for information on diet, exercise, and drug treatments. They feel powerless and have a sense of fear about their future.
Phase Two - Getting into a Routine
Bob discovered that he had diabetes one and one- half years ago and regulates his blood glucose through exercise and diet. Sometimes he thinks he's done enough to change his life for diabetes.*
"I think I eat pretty well. Of course I could do better, but I can't be good ALL of the time. I know other people who have a less healthy diet than I do. I don't need to make any more changes; I've already had to give up so much. I understand what I'm up against and know what I need to do to stay in control."
Getting into a routine can be difficult. Research suggests that it takes at least six weeks to begin creating new habits. For many people with diabetes , there are a number of lifestyle changes that must take place in order to successfully manage the disease and this takes time.
Phase Three - Acceptance
Linda is 53 years old and has been living with diabetes for 5 years. She is able to control her blood glucose levels with proper diet and exercise. Her doctor says she is in good health.*
"I now realize I'm in control of my own well being. I want to stay healthy, so I eat a balanced diet and get lots of exercise. Diabetes has been a real wake-up call for me. It doesn't control my life. Instead it's just one aspect of my life that serves as a reminder to take good care of myself. I feel a renewed sense of freedom and take personal responsibility for my health."
People in Phase Three have come to accept the reality of living with diabetes and are able to take the appropriate steps needed to control it.
Regardless of which stage your loved one is in, you can play an important role in helping them manage their diabetes. You can provide emotional support and encourage them to remain consistent in their medical, physical, and nutritional routines.
Your Rite Aid Pharmacist can also play a significant role in the life of a person in any phase of diabetes. They can take the time to consult one-on-one with the person to answer questions and calm fears. They can even offer resources such as the "Diabetes Guide" which can help people get a handle on the many lifestyle changes they must address in order to successfully manage their diabetes. The goal is to help people create healthy habits they can stick to, so they can ultimately reach Phase Three. Rite Aid Pharmacists hope that all of their patients with diabetes reach this phase. Continued interaction and encouragement with a Rite Aid Pharmacist can help them maintain the healthy lifestyle they've adopted.
For more information on managing diabetes go to our Understanding section.
