Diabetes is not your defeat: Shall we talk about this?

When your doctor told you that you had Type 2 Diabetes, did you ever think, "This is my fault, it happened because I didn't eat right, didn't exercise"? Or did that feeling get worse when you developed complications like heart disease due to diabetes? It's very common to have these thoughts. But in reality, diabetes is not your personal defeat or failure. Today, let's talk about why that is.

Why shouldn't you blame yourself?

"If only I had eaten like this back then...", "If only I had started exercising earlier...", "Why didn't I think about that sooner..." You've probably thought about things like this. It's normal to regret the past. But blaming yourself won't do you any good. There are several reasons for that.

1. Diabetes is a progressive disease.

Simply put, diabetes is a progressive disease . This means that the condition can change and worsen over time. From the outside, someone might think, "Oh... this is a disease that can be controlled by diet and weight loss." The truth is, even if you lose weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, and check your blood sugar levels regularly, you can't be 100% sure that your diabetes will always be the same.

Think about it, when your blood sugar level (Blood Glucose) is high over a period of time, it damages the blood vessels and nerves around your heart and throughout your body. This doesn't happen overnight. This damage happens gradually over years. This results in complications like heart disease. This doesn't mean that everyone with diabetes will develop heart disease. But, it can be a part of the course of this disease. So, no matter how well you control your diabetes, there is still a risk of these complications sometimes.

2. Genetic factors have a big impact.

This is a very important point. Your genes are not something you choose, they are something you are born with. Some genes make you more likely to develop diabetes than others. Although factors such as diet and exercise can influence this, if someone in your family (mother, father, siblings) has diabetes , your risk of developing it increases.

Think about it this way, let's say you have a higher risk of developing cancer because of your genes. If you get cancer, do you blame yourself for it? No, right? Diabetes is the same. It's not just a mistake in your lifestyle.

3. There's no point in blaming yourself.

Like everything in life, there are things we can change and things we can't. Worrying about the past, blaming yourself, and feeling bad about yourself isn't good for your mental health. Instead, focus on "What can I do for my health today?" Don't let guilt cloud your vision.

How do we deal with these feelings?

Your mental health directly affects your physical health. No matter how much you try to say, "No, I don't care about this," some feelings are stuck in our minds until we confront them. So here are some steps that can help you deal with these feelings of defeat and guilt.

• Allow yourself to grieve: After you're diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease, your life is different than it was before. There's nothing wrong with allowing yourself to grieve and regret the life you had without these conditions. In fact, it's a necessary step in accepting this situation and moving forward.

• Write down what comes to mind: When you feel guilty about your diabetes, write down in a book where you are, who is around you, and what is happening. Rate the intensity of the feeling from 1 to 10. After doing this for a while, you will understand when these bad thoughts come to you. Then you can avoid that pattern.

• Be kind to yourself (Positive Self-talk): The way you think about yourself has a big impact on how you feel. When you feel guilty, talk to yourself in a kind way. Think things like, "This is not my fault," or "I am doing the best I can."

• Set small goals: Set small, achievable goals. For example, think, "I will walk for 20 minutes 3 days a week." When you complete that goal, you will feel good about yourself. Share these achievements with your family.

• Have a plan: Have a few strategies in mind that you can use when feelings like guilt or anger suddenly arise. Take a few deep breaths, get up and go for a walk outside, or do something else that will distract you. If you need more help dealing with these times, talk to your doctor.

Recognize the symptoms of depression early

Diabetes is something that requires 24/7 attention. It's normal to feel tired and discouraged at times due to the time and effort involved. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor. These could be signs of depression.

Ask for support.

Connecting with others who know the challenges of living with diabetes can be a great source of strength. In addition to your family, friends, and medical team, try joining a diabetes support group. Or, you can seek the help of a counselor to talk about these feelings.