We have many different relationships in our lives.
Friendship relationships, romantic relationships and work relationships, just to name a few. You will have different experiences in each of these types of relationship, and telling someone that you have diabetes may sometimes seem like a barrier.
Acting relaxed about it and telling people early on that you have diabetes will help you to develop the relationship with honesty and openness. And you're less likely to feel different or anxious because you won't be hiding your diabetes from anyone. It might even surprise you just how interested and understanding people are, and it probably won't be long before your diabetes is not the main talking point!
Friends and peers
Diabetes can't stay a secret for long when you are hanging out with your friends. Often when you've had diabetes for a while, your friends have been there since the start and you never need to tell them. However it can be a bit trickier to decide when is the right time to tell a new friend that you have diabetes. Some young people your age said that they worry that telling a new friend might "freak them out".
If you're making new friends and you're not sure when to say something, wait until it feels like a natural moment to bring it up, and let them know that you still lead an active life as long as you take care of yourself. It might feel awkward telling them, but once people understand diabetes, they are usually fine with it - even if they seem a bit uncertain at first. Remember if needles freak them out, that's about their own fears, not you! Good mates are usually supportive of their friends, and most people we spoke to said that their friends were really supportive once they got the hang of their diabetes.
"At times, having diabetes can seem to control your life; restrict it even, and this can be distressing. Don't despair! There are many people who are more than willing to offer you assistance. Friends provide a strong support base for getting through tough times. Much more often than not, your friends will accept that you have diabetes, and they can even help you to keep your diabetes under control by reminding you to test, or asking, "have you taken your meds?" before a meal. I have found that this is very helpful to my diabetes."
