People need people, as Barbara Streisand would often sing. And in this fight against diabetes, a support group is necessary. According to Marilyn Ritholz, PhD, Licensed Staff Psychologist, at Joslin Diabetes Center, a research and teaching affiliate at Harvard Medical School, “support groups are important and helpful to people with diabetes, because they provide a venue to meet others who share similar medical and psychosocial concerns.”
But take heed. Not just any support group, you need to find the one that is right for you and your needs. Here are just a couple of group support tips for people with diabetes.
Look for a health buddy. Just like an average student in a class of about 50, you need to look for a health buddy who has the same concerns. If you have type 1 diabetes, look for a health buddy who also has a type 1 diabetes. Lori, 43, says, “Learning from others who have had success in managing their diabetes made me want to come onboard and really get in the game. I find myself thinking about my class buddies as I work on my program each day. Knowing they are doing all it takes to be healthy inspires me.” She has even found not just a health buddy but a walking buddy too.
Think of it not just as a support group but also as a social group. Research has indeed proven that people who get together with a small or a support group to participate in activities have a better quality of life, can manage and control their blood sugar levels better and are less depressed. “The research about diabetes, and chronic illness in general, clearly indicates that support from others enhances self-care,” says John Zrebiec, MSW, CDE, a clinical social worker at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and a member of the Diabetic Living editorial advisory board. “Likely, that is just a natural human response to being able to share the burden.”
Here are other ways that a support group can help you or a family member who has diabetes.
You feel connected. Having a group by your side reduces the feeling of isolation and separation. When you spend a minute or even an hour with these people, the time you spent with them makes you less alone. “Even though family and friends love you and try to help, they really can’t fully understand what it is like for you as well as someone who has it,” says Martha Funnell, RN, CDE, a research investigator at the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center in Ann Arbor and chairman of the National Diabetes Education Program. “A word many of my patients use is ‘isolating.’”
- You overcome self-blame. There are those who come to the program who have never accepted the disease into their system and so, they suffer guilt or self-blame. When they see other people with the same disease, these feelings might subside. “It’s a huge step just to get there,” says Nora Norback, RD, CDE, a nutrition educator at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Richmond. “They see, ‘Gee, there are other people who have this disease.’”
- You have a new outlook. The first few days after you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes are probably one of the most difficult parts. For example, if you are required to inject insulin into your blood stream, you probably don’t know how. This is where the support group comes in. “The individual often feels that she has failed if her diabetes is getting worse,” Norback says. “But someone else could say, ‘I can’t believe how much better my blood sugar is after going on insulin,’ or ‘I thought it would hurt, and I didn’t even feel it.’”
- You learn acceptance. “When you go to a group and hear other people talking, it breaks through the denial and helps with acceptance,” says Sharon Movsas, RD, CDE, a diabetes nutrition specialist at the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. “It helps you be more compassionate with yourself. Acceptance and awareness are two major steps to action.”
- Find the right fit. You need to test the waters first before you decide on what group you should join. Sit in a few times and then decide, which group suits you best. There are hospitals around Metro Manila that actually offer support groups to their patients. Of course you also need to consider your location as well—and your physician.
The Medical City (TMC) in Pasig City has the diabetes support group, which started three years ago and initially called the Diabetes Club. This is composed of people with diabetes for the purpose of organizing them and educating them about the illness. Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City has also created a group for people with diabetes. “We want the patient to be a partner in managing their illness,” says Dr. Ruben G. Kasala, head of the section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine from TMC. “First is to educate them and to make them responsible for their disease. No matter how good your doctor is, if you are not responsible enough, it’s not effective. They should be responsible for their health.”
- Participate in the activities. When you become part of a diabetes support group, you might find yourself quiet in your chair during the first few meeting but when you get to know the people behind the group and your fellow friends, you need to participate with the activities to maximize your learning. It’s not enough to be an onlooker or a benchwarmer, you need to stand out as well. Participate also in the Diabetes Awareness Week where this day has tons of activities.
Among the activities may include a weight-loss challenge or a marathon. Asian Hospital has Sugar Bodies, a group of people with diabetes who started joining dance competitions that challenges people with diabetes to adapt a healthy lifestyle and to be physically fit as well. They also conduct forums every quarter informing diabetes patients how to manage the disease.
- Ask questions. If there is something that you don’t understand or you want to know things about your disease, no matter how insignificant you think your questions are, just ask. This is the only time that you can take away the concerns lingering in your head. Of course you don’t have to monopolize the conversation and be considerate with the time as well.