#914 Diabetes Myths: How You Got Diabetes

Handling Insensitivity

Managing insensitive remarks about diabetes requires emotional resilience. Scott Benner shares his experience of dealing with comments that can be both hurtful and ignorant, emphasizing the importance of having a prepared response to avoid feeling overwhelmed 1. He suggests carrying etiquette cards or having a memorized statement to educate others without losing composure. This approach helps prevent the frustration of trying to explain diabetes to those who may not understand or care 2.

You can't put yourself in the position of educating the entire world because they're not going to remember, they're not going to understand.

--- Scott Benner

By maintaining a calm demeanor, individuals can navigate these interactions more effectively.

   

Internal Experiences

The internal experiences of those with diabetes often involve self-blame and emotional exhaustion. Scott Benner discusses how people with diabetes or their caregivers might internalize others' reactions, leading to feelings of anger or sadness 3. It's crucial to acknowledge these emotions and allow oneself to feel them, even if it's not always appropriate to express them immediately. Recognizing and processing these feelings can help in managing the emotional toll of diabetes 4.

Allow yourself, whatever that feeling is coming up in the moment, to allow yourself to feel that it might not be appropriate.

--- Unknown

This self-awareness is key to emotional resilience and well-being.