Dealing With the Ups and Downs of Diabetes

Feelings

Many teens like you deal with diabetes everyday. Most of the time, it’s not a problem, you just deal with it. But sometimes, you may just want it to go away.

Do you ever…

• Ask “why me?”
• Think you’re the only one who feels sad, mad, alone, afraid, or different?
• Get tired of others teasing you if you are overweight?
• Blame yourself or your family for your diabetes?

All of these feelings are normal. Lots of teens who have diabetes feel the same way. It’s okay to get angry, feel sad, or think you’re different every now and then. But then you need to take charge and do something to feel better.

Everyone feels down sometimes. You are not alone.

Still down?

Reach out for help. Talk to someone in your family or where you worship, a friend, a school counselor, teacher, or your doctor or diabetes educator. It might help to write down your feelings in a journal. If you still feel down or sad, ask your parents to help you find a counselor.

It is okay to ask for help.

Speak up

There are many people who care about you and want to help you stay healthy and happy. Your health care team (diabetes educator, dietitian, doctor, nurse, psychologist, and social worker) can help you learn how to make healthy food choices, be more active, and feel good about yourself. Stay in touch with them. Let your health care team know how you feel and what you need.

Let your school know what’s up

You or your parents need to give the school nurse, teacher, or other school staff a copy of your diabetes care plan. Let people at your school know you have diabetes and that you need to eat healthy foods, eat your meals, take your medicine on time, and be physically active.

Don’t let diabetes stop you from joining in school activities. You can do all the things your friends do and then some!

Mom, Dad, other family members, get with it!

It’s easier to manage diabetes when the whole family works at it with you. So…

• Ask your family to choose the same healthy foods you eat—fruits and vegetables; whole grain breads; and low-fat meats, milk, and cheese. Ask them to keep healthy foods in the house and not tempt you with cookies, cake, candy, or regular soda.
• Get everyone moving by being more physically active. Play hard. Shoot hoops, throw a ball, ride bikes, or go for a walk — together. Being active can also help you relax and lower stress.

What’s healthy for you is healthy for everyone in your family.

Want to meet other teens who feel like you do?

• Programs and support groups for teens with diabetes can be found in clinics, health centers, or hospitals. Ask your diabetes educator or doctor for help to find one that works for you.
• Head to a diabetes or weight loss summer camp. You will do all the things that other campers do: swim, hike, dance, and more. But the best part is that everyone has diabetes or is there to lose weight, just like you. Some groups may have funds to help pay for teens to attend summer camps.
• Find a pen pal or email buddy. Sometimes it is good to share how you feel about having diabetes with someone else.
• Check out the resources at the end of this tip sheet.

Still my friend?

Ever worry that your friends may have wrong ideas about diabetes?