When your doctor tells you that you have diabetes, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and a little confused at first. You may be wondering, "How did I get this? How will I live with this? What will my future hold?" Of course, we can't completely stop these negative thoughts from coming to us. But remember, having a positive attitude can do wonders for your health.
How does diabetes affect the way you look at life?
Diabetes is a condition that affects not only the body, but also our minds. A large study of more than 7,000 adults with Type 2 Diabetes found that nearly half of them experience mental, emotional, and social difficulties due to their diabetes.
Imagine what these people are going through?
- Anxiety and Fear: Constantly worrying about things like "What complications will I have in the future?" "Will I lose my eyesight?" "Will I have kidney problems?"
- Depression and Sadness: Feeling disappointed with life and disinterest in anything.
- Social challenges: Experiencing discrimination at work, having to think twice about food and drink when going to a party, and having to explain your situation to others can cause a lot of stress.
Let's take an example. Imagine that there is a person named Sureni, who has had diabetes for many years. At first, the doctors did not accurately diagnose her condition, and only after 5 years did they confirm that she had Type 2 Diabetes. How did Sureni feel at that time?
On one hand, he must have felt very angry, "Why didn't you diagnose my illness for so long?" But on the other hand, he must have felt very relieved, "Oh, now I know exactly what's wrong with me." In the beginning, it was very challenging for him to control this situation because he didn't have the right information and support. But later, he learned about this well and started to control his condition. When he started helping others as well as himself, he gained a great sense of purpose and strength in life.
"The way we look at something determines everything. It directly affects our results. If you expect a positive change, you are more motivated to do the things necessary to make that change happen."
What does this mean? Your attitude is the most important thing. If you think, "I'll never get better at this," you'll be less likely to work hard for it. But if you think, "This is a challenge, but I can handle it," you'll take the necessary steps. You listen to what the doctor says, take your medication on time, control your diet, and exercise. That positive attitude will be a big step towards your recovery.
How do you build a positive attitude?
Okay, so how do we develop this positive attitude? It's not something you can do overnight. But if you try little by little, you will see the difference.
1. Learn exactly about your situation
Ignorance is the biggest cause of fear. What is diabetes? How does it affect the body? What are the ways to control it? Be well informed. Ask your doctor about this carefully. He will be the best guide for you on this journey.
2. Focus on what you can control
While you can't control whether you develop diabetes, you can control how you manage it.
- Food and Drink: Know what is good to eat and what is not, and create a diet accordingly.
- Exercise: Even walking for 30 minutes a day makes a big difference.
- Medication: Take the medication prescribed by the doctor on time.
- Checking your blood sugar levels: Check your blood sugar levels regularly.
When you feel like you have these things under control, you gain great mental strength.
3. Turn negative thoughts into positive actions.
Rather than fighting the negative thoughts that come to our mind, it is more important to recognize them and do something positive instead.
| Do you feel this way? (Negative thought) | Shall we do this instead? (Positive action) |
|---|---|
| "Oh my, I'll never be able to eat anything I want now." | "I talk to my doctor or a nutritionist and come up with a delicious, healthy meal plan that's right for me." |
| "I can't live a normal life with this." | "There are so many people who live successful and happy lives even with diabetes. I plan my life like them." |
| "I'm afraid I'll get a serious illness." | "If I manage this well, complications can be largely prevented. So I follow the instructions exactly." |
| "I can't tell anyone about this. I don't know what they'll think of me." | "I'm telling my family and closest friends about this. Their support will be a great strength to me." |
4. Get support
You are not alone in this battle. Talk to your family and friends about this. Don't keep your feelings bottled up. It can be helpful to join a support group with people who have diabetes like you. You can learn from others' experiences and share your own.
5. Celebrate small victories
Don't just focus on the big goals. Be happy with the small victories you achieve. For example, if you exercised properly for a week, be happy with yourself. If you were able to keep your sugar levels under control, think of it as the result of your hard work. These small things will give you great strength to move forward.
Take-Home Message
- Diagnosing diabetes is not the end of life. It is a manageable condition.
- Your mindset is one of the most powerful tools you have on this journey. Thinking positively has a direct impact on your well-being.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. Seek his or her advice.
- Instead of worrying about big things, focus on small steps that you can control (e.g. today's meal, today's exercise).
- You are not alone on this journey. Your family, friends, and doctors are with you. Get their support .
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