When you've got diabetes you might feel that it makes you different from your friends. But really, you're just like them, you've just got extra stuff to do. You have to plan ahead and fit your diabetes in with your life. It can be hard work, but with the help of your friends it might make it easier.

Who to tell?

Dealing with Diabetes can be hard work, but with help and support from friends it can make things easier

Being one of the crowd...
Sometimes diabetes can get in the way of the stuff you and your friends are doing and it might seem easier to pretend it's not there or hope it'll go away. Like when you're eating out, at a party or just hanging out all day. It might be tempting to not test, skip your injection, run high so you don't have a hypo or miss meals. This might work in the short term and make you feel like one of the crowd but in the long run, you might get sick and miss hanging out with your friends altogether. It also might be more embarrassing if you really let things go and you end up in hospital with ketoacidosis - this can be scarier for your friends than seeing you do a test or injection!

Things that some of your friends do might not mix well with diabetes, like alcohol, smoking and drugs. You need to be aware of the extra risks if you've got diabetes and make your own decisions - remember it's your call, no-one else's. Check out risky business to find out more.

Getting hassled...
Sometimes other teenagers who don't understand diabetes hassle anyone who's different from them. If this happens, try to ignore them, although it's hard to pretend you don't care what they say - eventually they'll get fed up if you don't react. Your friends can also help out by backing you up and supporting you - they like you for who you are. Remember no one really likes bullies.