How to Talk About Diabetes

Telling your friends about diabetes seem intimidating or scary at first, but your friend will appreciate your honesty, be thankful in the end that you told them, and will usually be very receptive to learning and helping you.

It is important to tell your friends about diabetes. If something happens, it is important that they know the basics of what to do.

Also, you do not want to feel awkward or embarrassed if you have to eat a snack, sit out for a few minutes, check your blood sugar, or give insulin when you are around them. 

Do not be embarrassed by diabetes. It is a part of you now but does not define who you are.

Start by telling a friend that you are very comfortable with. This can be a lifelong friend, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or one of your best friends.

Explain the basics of diabetes.

Tell them that sometimes your blood sugar goes low and you need a snack and can shake or feel dizzy, and that sometimes your sugar is high and you get thirsty and tired.

Tell them that you will always carry snacks and insulin with you.

You can still do everything that you did before you had diabetes, but you just need to accommodate now.

If they do not know, explain that diabetes is not contagious. 

Remind them that you are the same friend that you were before you had diabetes. 

Ask your friend to differentiate between you and them. Show them that you just need some self-discipline to maintain your health but that a person with T1D and person without T1D can do the same things.

Talking to your siblings may feel similar to talking to your friends or parents.

Assure them that you are going to be ok, especially if they are younger.

Tell them how they can help you. If it is ok for them to ask about your sugar, tell them that. If you prefer that they are there when you ask for help instead, tell them that. Be very open with your communication.

Tell them that you are still the person that you were before you were diagnosed. You can still do anything that you normally did and be the same person that you were before you were diagnosed.

Explain that there are now going to be snacks and insulin in the house and with you and your family at all times. Explain that you need these snacks and medicine to stay healthy.

Remind them of how important their support and love is to you in motivating you to stay healthy and on track of your blood sugars.

If things are different in your house, explain that you do not want anything to affect them negatively.

Explain that they may be at risk for diabetes throughout their life. Tell them to be careful.

Sometimes, children or teens with diabetes and their parents argue about how much they communicate about diabetes or how the child takes care of themselves.

Remember,  your parents want the best for you. They just may not know how to best express that and how to understand your life as a teenager.

Even if it is aggravating sometimes, it is important to be honest and communicate with your parents.

Tell your parents about your day. Tell them about your friends if you want to and about how school is going.

Talk to them about things that are stressing you in life. If they can help, tell them. If they cannot, tell them.

If you are doing anything potentially dangerous, drinking, going somewhere new, exercising a lot, or with new people, tell them. It is better to be safe than to be sorry.

You should discuss these guidelines with your parents. Can they know your blood sugar each time that you check it? Can they ask how your sugars have been throughout the past week? Can they check in to make sure that you are bringing your supplies to school? When you see friends? These are guidelines that you must discuss with parents.

Talk about why each person in the discussion feels that they should have this right.

Compromise.

Talk to them about your mental health and how diabetes affects your life.

Answer their questions and make sure that they are educated in case of an emergency.

You have to be proactive.

Make sure that your teacher knows about diabetes and what to do in an emergency and on a daily basis. 

Keep a pack of supplies in the back of the classroom or in the nurse’s office that you can easily reach if it is an emergency or if you forget something at home (juice pack, glucose meter, glucagon pen, extra syringes, etc.)

Meet with the teacher and nurse and explain everything about diabetes and what your child should be allowed to do in school.

Make sure that the teacher knows to:

Allow you to eat a snack, test your blood sugar, and drink water in the classroom if you need to.

Allow you to take a test late if your blood sugar is too low or high

Be aware of the signs of a high and low blood sugar and know how to give insulin in an emergency.

Never make you feel uncomfortable if you need to step out to take care of yourself.

Have emergency contact information ready and give the information to the teacher and nurse.

If the school does not accommodate you, make sure that you continue to talk with the administration to ensure that you have what you need to succeed in school.

If you are an older student, you may be more independent in school, so make sure that you bring your supplies with you and that your teachers and nurses still know about diabetes, even if you do not think you need any more help, just in case.

You can take your insulin in front of your boss, and if they ask what you are doing tell them that you have T1D and have to take insulin shots before every meal and the basics of diabetes. 

You can tell your boss directly about your type one diabetes.

You can find the best time to tell them about T1D if you do not feel comfortable taking your insulin in front of them at first right away. However, make sure that you tell them as soon as possible. You can even tell them on the first day of work if possible. You do not want something to happen and then they do not know that you have diabetes.

Make sure that your boss lets you sit and take a break if you need to have a snack and lets you carry your supplies with you always.

Tell your boss that T1D does not affect your performance and that you can still do the best job at work that you can.

Do not be embarrassed to take your insulin or have a snack if you need to at work. You need to stay healthy in order to perform the best that you can.

Your doctors are there to help you. They are trained in all areas and anything associated with diabetes.

Never be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your sugars, about something that happened because of your diabetes, or about something that your diabetes is affecting. If they do not know, they cannot help.

If you feel embarrassed, remember that your doctor is there to help. They want to help. They want you to be honest and to tell them the full truth. They are prepared to see the worst. They know how to help you and they can make you feel better.

You can talk to your doctor about how to improve and maintain quality of life with diabetes.

Always be honest with your doctor. They need correct information to make correct adjustments.

Tell your doctor any relevant information about the problem at hand.

Stay in touch with your doctor if you can in between visits. They care about you.

Always be prepared and on time for doctor visits. Bring your blood glucose meter and any log books that you have. Think about and make a list of any talking points that you have before you go to the appointment. Bring any relevant documentation with you to the appointment.

Listen to and follow through with your doctor’s advice. If you do not follow their directions, they cannot help you. If you do not follow the directions though, make sure to tell them. Perhaps, this treatment needs to be adjusted to fit your life better. However, they will not know unless you tell them.

If your doctor is not helping you correctly, do not be scared to switch doctors or tell the nurse.

Click here for more specific information about dating in the “Teens with Diabetes” section of this website.

Your boyfriend, girlfriend, or significant other should encourage you to stay healthy.

Tell them that you have to carry your supplies with you.

Tell them that diabetes does not change who you are and you can still do anything that they can do.

If you are being intimate with your partner, tell them about any insulin pumps that you may wear that they may see. Talk to them if you are comfortable or not with this. Explain that you need this to feel healthy.

Tell them that you may need to pause on a date or when you are together to have a snack, take insulin, or check your blood sugar.

They should know what to do in an emergency.