Being diagnosed with a chronic disease like diabetes is a life-changing experience. It can be a shock, and many people feel overwhelmed by the news. Some feel angry and even blame themselves. Others go into denial. But some can better understand their new situation and start focusing on their diabetic health needs.

A diagnosis of diabetes is never happy news, of course. But fortunately this is a chronic condition that can be effectively managed. If you’ve been recently diagnosed, it can be a challenge to learn your new self-care routines and the range of health risks that can accompany diabetes. And, even if you’ve had diabetes for awhile, you may often find yourself at junctures where you need to reassess your self-care and perhaps change your diabetes treatment. You may have bad days, and you may find yourself discouraged. You may even become clinically depressed.

Learning to cope with diabetes is as important a skill as learning to manage your meals, your exercise, and your diabetes medications. Living with diabetes can take some effort, and it is crucial to keep your motivation strong.

Here’s a good incentive: People who effectively manage their diabetes over time are better able to delay, minimize, or even prevent some of the serious health complications associated with the disease. These long-term complications can include eye, kidney, heart and circulatory problems, and more.

Strategies for Coping with Diabetes
Living with diabetes takes patience, persistence, and understanding. And that means building your knowledge about the condition and its treatments, so that you can withstand occasional setbacks. Education is your best defense against fear, anger, and indifference. Take one day at a time and one issue at a time—and build a knowledge base that will allow you to live a healthier life.

In the process, you will understand how to build healthier eating habits, stick with some form of physical activity, and follow your medical treatments as prescribed. And you should also learn how to reach out and ask for help when you need it.

We all have our own techniques for coping with difficult life situations, and some people are more successful than others at maintaining a positive outlook. You might find that you need to talk to someone who understands your concerns when you’re living with diabetes.

• Family members can be ideal, since they may already be aware of the challenges you are experiencing. But don’t assume that your family instinctively knows the support that you need. Talk with them and explain exactly how they can help.
• Many people find that meeting with others who have diabetes in a support group can be helpful. A support group provides a friendly environment to air concerns or share ideas about the everyday management of diabetes. Ask your healthcare professional for a list of resources in your area.
• And don’t forget your healthcare team, including your physician, diabetes educator, and dietitian. They are trained to help you make sense of your options.
• If you feel stuck and simply cannot move forward, you might also consider speaking with a counselor or therapist.

Quality of life
Certainly we all want to lead a long life. But most people would agree that the quality of the life we lead is just as important as its length. With diabetes, however, the two can be connected. That’s because many of the actions that help you maintain a good quality of life in the present are the same things that can help you maintain a long, healthy life as well.

Studies have shown that people with diabetes who enjoy good blood glucose control have fewer stress symptoms, a perception that they are in better health, and a feeling that they can think and learn more easily. This translates into being more productive, missing less work, and being more physically active.

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