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Emotional Well-being

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Healthcare providers today recognize the importance of promoting emotional health for children with diabetes, too. School-aged children with diabetes want to be like the other kids and may feel awkward about their need to test blood glucose levels and take insulin shots. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator if your child is having difficulties in this area. They can provide advice and counseling on how to cope with diabetes in daily life, at school, with friends, and also with feelings of being different, jealousy, peer pressure, bullying, or outright discrimination.

Although many children are reluctant to tell their friends about their diabetes, there is evidence that if a child is direct and matter-of-fact about it, others will readily accept it. Being secretive or embarrassed is more likely to lead to teasing or bullying.

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