In everyones lives relationships play a huge part.
Friends, family, partners and loved ones.
But does your diabetes impact on these?
Do you start a new relationship with "Hi my name's... I have diabetes!"
Family and friends...
Although your family and friends do not have diabetes, they still have to come to terms with the condition. It will affect them in similar and different ways to you.
They may be worried about you and what will happen.
They may become more protective or scared of things happening, such as hypos.
They might be angry and ask why did someone they love get diabetes?
Hypos are scary for everyone, friends might not understand and this can heighten their anxiety.
Sit down with friends and family and explain what hypos are, why you inject, what they can do to help, and whether you want them to check you have tested or not.
Talking about diabetes with them may help it become less scary and help them to come to terms with it.
Don't get angry or annoyed at them, they do it as they care and love you.
Telling them
This is completely your decision. There might be something that happens on the date that brings the subject up. You have to inject, test your sugar, treat a hypo. Some people find this easier as they find it unusual bringing the subject up. Other people bring the topic into conversation. Others decide not to say for a while.
It will be something you will have to tell them.
Make sure you put some time aside to discuss it with them, they may have questions, this is normal.
Injecting on a date
Do you do it at the table in front of them, wait till they pop to the toilet, or go off somewhere else to do it?
If you do it in front of them explain what you are doing. They may never have seen someone inject before - it can be scary.
How will they react
People worry about how the other person will react when they tell them.
You will not truly know until you do.
Some people may ask questions, some may just acknowledge it then carry on, others may seem scared.
The majority of the time it is all plain sailing.
Refernces: The information on this page has been adapted from the following scources.
Diabetes.co.uk. Emotional Impact of Diabetes on Family and Friends [Internet]. 2016 [cited 30 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/emotional-impact-on-families.html
Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetes and the Family [Internet]. 2016 [cited 30 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/Diabetes-and-the-family.html
Diabetes.co.uk. Dating and Diabetes [Internet]. 2016 [cited 30 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-dating.html
Diabetes.co.uk. Hypoglycemia and Effect of Hypos on Relationships [Internet]. 2016 [cited 30 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/affect-of-hypos-on-relationships.html
Your family and friends can be a huge support for you!
Having diabetes can impact them as well as yourself.
Both parties may need to process the situation before accepting the diagnosis
Family and friends...
Family and friends...
Dating...
Dating...
Hypos and relationships...
Hypos can be scary for everyone around, especially if they don't understand what is happening.
It is good to explain to people what you normally feel and do when you are experiencing a hypo.
Explain how to treat them and what to do if you are badly hypo.
This can help them seem less scary.
They may think you are hypo at times when you do not. Do a blood sugar to reassure them, you may even be hypo.
People experiencing a hypo can become snappy or angry easily.
Explain this to friends and family and apologise afterwards.
Dating can be nerve-racking at the best of times.
Diabetes just adds another layer
When do i tell them? What about injecting? What will they say?
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