Telling People You Have Diabetes
Telling people you have diabetes can appear daunting at first
Telling people you have diabetes and then talking about your diabetes, whether it's to classmates, friends or work colleagues can be a real challenge.
Once you start talking about your diabetes, people may begin to ask questions about your diabetes as they will become interested in knowing more.
Many people with diabetes prefer not to have comments or questions about their condition, and some would rather that people don’t know at all.
This is particularly common at school and during the teenage years.
However, you should tell certain people that you have diabetes but there are various ways and times to do this.
Using medical ID to tell people you have diabetes
People with diabetes should always wear medical alert ID or at the least carry some sort of card to let others know.
This is because medical emergencies can happen at any time and even a card in your wallet can make a major difference to the treatment that you receive.
Tell the people you spend time with that you have diabetes
In many cases, it can be important to let your employer know and a close working colleague know that you have diabetes.
This can make a major difference if there is ever a medical emergency. Usually, people are very understanding of medical conditions once they are informed.
Being diabetic is obviously your problem - it’s something that you’ve got to deal with. Having said that, so do the people around you.
A lot of people don’t like to talk about their health issues, which is absolutely fine. I am not saying that people should stand up on a chair in every common room, every office meeting and bang on about having diabetes.
To be fair to yourself and to be fair to the others around you, if there’s a chance that your condition is going to make you head off into a sugar coma or head down to an insulin coma, then it’s only fair that you try and help yourself and let other people know what you’re dealing with so that they can help you too. You don’t want to give them too much of a freight by keeling over.
I was taught this years ago by somebody - this is the word assume. Don’t assume they know how to help you because that makes an “ass” out of “u” and makes an “ass” out of “me”. So, just let people know.
Most of the time they’re never going to need to help you. You are going to have things under control. So, it’s just fair. Let people know you’re diabetic, let people know that if you start behaving a little oddly, maybe more oddly than normal, that it could be your diabetes talking and not you.
Tell your family that you have diabetes, including children
Usually, families of people with diabetes know about the condition. Even children should know basic diabetes care and how to contact emergency services. Adults should know exactly what to do and how to deal with any serious situation.
Discuss diabetes with your partner
Diabetes can seriously affect moods and the way a person feels.
It is important to discuss diabetes with your partner. Knowing and understanding how to deal with lows and highs could be critical in a medical emergency.
Diabetes may affect your sex life, too.
Healthcare professionals should be able to provide medical advice about how to raise blood sugar, administer glucagon and call for emergency assistance when it is necessary.
It is important for your partner to understand day-to-day diabetes care routines.
When you are invited to eat at someone’s house
When you are going to eat out, it may be worth letting your hosts know in advance if you have particular dietary restrictions. However, many people with diabetes will prefer to eat whatever they are given and adjust other diabetes management to compensate.
Telling people at university that you have diabetes
When you are away at university, it may be a good idea for your hall manager, roommate or friends to know that you have diabetes.
When not to tell people you have diabetes
There is no reason to explain diabetes in all situations, and you may rightly feel that you don’t owe anyone an explanation in some situations. It is up to the individual how and when they tell people they have diabetes.
Sharing news about health issues is a very personal decision, and whatever works best for you is often the best decision to make.
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