Do you fee that diabetes shifted your personality to becoming more serious and alert. I’ve realized that a year and a half after my diagnosis I am getting lots of comments, from people that don’t know I am diabetic, that I’ve become more reserved and serious. Don’t know if its just me or this is a normal responsible effect for a demanding cause?
I wrote “nope” but then figured I should perhaps elaborate more? Diabetes creates some serious stuff to deal with, w/ T1, you have to take what amounts to a hard drug (which I’d define as one that you are addicted to in that if you don’t take it, the consequences are terminal and, if you take it the side effects have the same potential? Sure a doctor prescribes it but they used to proscribe cocaine, heroin, LSD, etc. too…) but I haven’t found a lot of value in being sad about it. It also demands so many chores (testing, counting carbs, thinking about food, lugging supplies around so you don’t keel over, etc…) that it keeps me 1) busy and 2) trying to “beat” it, not by being cured but by not letting the bastard get me down.
Thanks for the elaboration, its actually not got to my mood, i am a positive person, but for some reason its just changed me to become more focused on certain aspects over the other. Keep up the high spirit.
100% Yes. It does change you no matter what anyone says. It’s just how you deal with it and not everyday will be the same. What people (who dont’ have diabetes) don’t realize is that technically in every sense of the meaning a type 1 diabetic is on borrowed time. With out modern science (and I do mean modern; last 50 years) I would have died 6 years ago. I can say this because I know what the disease CAN do to you if you don’t take insulin, I was in denial that there was anything wrong with me but I went from 205lbs to 142lbs in less than three months with many internals shutting down. So are you serious or do you just consider all aspects before doing things now… well that’s up to you. I still do everything I used to but… I do consider all angles and weigh out what the benefit to me is or can be. Just be sure it’s not mild depression because that goes hand in hand with diabetes. Don’t worry about it, it is part of you but not who you are!
Jeff
No. (I was diagnose when I was 6)
I was diagnosed when I was 9 so I really have no idea, but I do sometimes wonder if I’d be more spontaneous and willing to take risks if I didn’t have diabetes. But then, I have other health-related things I grew up with that could have made me less of a risk-taker and more serious, too, so maybe it wasn’t just diabetes.
Then again, it could all just be my personality to begin with.
I believe it has. At least to this point. I am coming up on my 1 year and can honestly say I have changed. First of all I am far more empathetic than I used to be. I have always been this way, but this has made a huge difference in how I view the world. I used to be VERY adventurous in regards to food and environment. Not so much ant more. I have PN and some other issues that keep me from doing some of the things I used to do. My stamina is no where near what it used to be. But, I am still me. Maybe not as care free as I used to be, but still me.
I don’t like most of these changes. Many of my physical issues have improved greatly in the last 11 months and I believe they will continue to get better. To whatever degree I am able to improve though I still have D. I will always have to be my body’s pancreas. Therefore it has changed some of who I am just as many events in life have. Living on my own, getting married, having children, being divorced. I have had to adjust many times over the years, but I am still me. Maybe I will be more like me as I learn how to live with D. I’m already closer to the old me than I was a year ago.
Personally I don’t think it could have changed me much as I was too young to be much of anything, when I was Dx, I was 3. I’m still mischievous and softhearted, but I think D has contributed to who I am and how I deal with stuff quite alot. I always was pretty matter of fact about things as I grew up, I am terminally ‘responsible’ at times and hyper vigilant about my body, it’s not like I never have fun or let go but there’s always an underlying edge of caution, maybe thats not the right word but I’m sure you get what I mean.
IMHO I think a being Dx is a major life changer, in particular if you’re old enough to understand the implications. I mean how can it not alter things, when you have to consider when/where/what you eat, what your I:C ratio is, exercise… yaddah yaddah. It’s like before, you just had normal everyday cr@p to deal with, then suddenly there’s a whole barrow load of new stuff to preoccupy your mind, and you’re still adjusting, it’s alot to take on board.
I agree with Randy, it’s a major life event and there are bound to be tweeks in your personality but essentially as you learn to deal, it becomes second nature and perhaps the reserve diminishes a little.
I wouldn’t worry too much, be reassured you aren’t alone x
I've had diabetes as long as I can remember, so I don't have a personality comparison for myself, but I actually think in some circumstances diabetes has taught me to find what's funny. ... Or maybe my parents taught me that. I think frequently bad things, viewed from a particular angle, can be quite funny, and I always look for that angle. If nothing else, a good, loud Christmas carol can really liven up a crappy medical appointment. I've tried to make my endo sing with me while giving me my flu shot, which scares me so badly I cry, whether it hurts or not. He looks a lot like Santa... it's really, really funny :)
I think diabetes gives us an appreciation for the fragility of life, and with some luck and hard work we can tool that around to enjoy it more, even when there are bad aspects to it.
A bit more morose the condition is a big bummer in my opinion.
yeah that surely happens at times…
Yes, I believe that it has made me a more serious person.
I can naturally be reserved around other people. Now, I find that people think I am very serious and not a lot of fun.
I just have to be very cautious. Always be prepared, always know what my blood sugar is (like before driving the car), and constantly keeping up with doctor appointments, blood work, prescriptions, etc. It can be exhausting! Plus work, 2 kids, a husband and house.
I try to be as loose and light hearted as possible. But there are many points in the day when I just don’t feel well (blood sugar low, too high, tired, etc) and that makes me the most reserved.
Rebecca