Recently Diagnosed With Diabetes? Cut Yourself Some Slack!

In working with people with Diabetes especially those recently diagnosed there can be a multitude of feelings or emotions that come with the diagnosis. These can include guilt, shame, blame and anxiety. If you have felt any of these feelings you are not alone.

One of the biggest questions I am asked often as an exercise physiologist is; what causes Diabetes? The answer people usually expect is poor diet or not exercising. However, my number one answer is that somewhere along the line genetics or family history often plays a large role in the cause or diagnosis of Diabetes.

This being said chances are you have had little to do with this.You can choose to exercise or watch your diet but you can’t choose your family. In my work I will always ask my clients if they believe they have a family history of Diabetes. Some have actually traced it back three or four generations.

In working with Type 2 Diabetes that is usually diagnosed between age 30 and age 50 is where the self-blame can really be prevalent. With a family history; Diabetes may have been festering in you since childhood but not have become apparent till adulthood. Hence the term or Diagnosis Adult onset of Diabetes.

Interestingly, one of the major risk factors for heart disease is a family history of heart disease. I’m thinking if it was one of the known risk factors for Diabetes; would there be less blame and shame? In some cases, even people who eat right, exercise and are of normal weight can still get Diabetes. Where there is family history, there is a risk for Diabetes.

The good news is that Diabetes is very treatable through diet, exercise and medical treatment. The other good news for all especially those with Juvenile Diabetes is that the technology is getting so good. The addition of Constant Glucometer Readers and Insulin pumps have made it easier to know our blood sugar numbers on the spot and not have to do finger sticks have changed treatment for the positive.

So, my message here is please cut yourself some slack! Exercise safely, control your diet and work with your Physician and Diabetes Educators and have a great productive and blame free life!