There are different types of diabetics based on their characteristics and attitudes.
1. Proactive Diabetic:
CHARACTERISTICS
– Knows the severity of the disease
– Independent and curious by nature
– Motivated for self-care
– Well-informed
ATTITUDE TO DIABETES
– “I will keep my diabetes under control”
– “I have a serious problem, but it is not the end of the world.—I just have to make adjustments”
– “This will actually help me discipline my life”
ATTITUDE TO CONTROLLING DIABETES
– Fully involved and Optimistic
– Regular follow-up
– Follows dietary restrictions
– Take drugs regularly and on time
– Exercises regularly
2. Overconfident diabetic
– Low awareness—claims that he knows it all
– Self-medication
– Relies on friends and relatives for advice rather than on his doctor
– Stubborn to lifestyle changes
– Inconsistent
ATTITUDE TO DIABETES
– “This is not serious—I can manage”
– “This drug has not worked—let me try the other drug”—tends to experiment
– “I would not see the doctor this month—I am doing okay!”
ATTITUDE TO CONTROLLING DIABETES
– Needs flexibility in routine—prefers not to be bound by a fixed dietary regimen
– Does not feel the need for follow-up with the doctor after initial diagnosis and prescription
– Likes to choose his own medications
3. Skeptical Diabetic
– Wants good results with low inputs
– Low awareness
– Lives for today—short-term benefits more important than long-term benefits
– Looks for low-effort, convenient options
–
ATTITUDE TO DIABETES
– Postpones treatment “I do not want to take Insulin”—looks for alternate drugs/home remedies even though insulin is essential.
– Ask, “Doctor, can you tell me when I can stop treatment?”
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ATTITUDE TO CONTROLLING DIABETES
– Average involvement Irregular for follow-up
– Lenient in following dietary restrictions
– Comfortable with Oral drugs as opposed to say insulin;
– avoids insulin
– Exercises sporadically; tends to give excuses
4. Resigned Diabetic
– Fear drives him to treatment—“Diabetes will kill me silently”
– Curses fate “Why me?”
– Poorly aware—does not seek to know better
– Lacks self-confidence
– Depends on others
– Goes by the rules
–
ATTITUDE TO DIABETES
– He/she’s like “This disease will affect my whole life and will finally kill me”
– “There is no cure—I just have to obey the doctor’s orders”
– “I cannot enjoy my life anymore”
– “I must somehow save myself from a coma, heart attack, and blindness”
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ATTITUDE TO CONTROLLING DIABETES
– Mechanically follows instructions
– “Doctor’s exercise routine”
– “Doctor’s medication”
– “Doctor’s visits”
– “Doctor’s diet orders”
5. Casual Diabetic
– Not bothered about self-care, health or diabetes
– No drive to know more “Fate brought this disease— let fate take care of me”
– Everything else is more important than self or diabetes
– Defeatist attitude
ATTITUDE TO DIABETES
– “This disease is nothing serious—it can be controlled easily!”
– “I know I need to exercise control”—but unwilling to practice it
– “I do not need a regimen to tackle my problem”
– “Treatment of diabetes is too costly for me—it is not worth the expense”
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ATTITUDE TO CONTROLLING DIABETES
– Does not practice diet control regularly
– Escapist attitude—gives lame excuses
– Health is last priority
– Treatment of diabetes is for getting rid of symptoms and to keep his family happy—not for self