Published: 28 October, 2025 Everyone’s afraid of something, spiders, heights, public speaking. But what if you live with diabetes and your fears involve needles, complications, or hypoglycaemia? The good news is you’re not alone and there’s something you can do about it. With a few simple strategies and some practice, you can face your fears, take back control and feel more confident managing your diabetes. Working out your fears Feeling fearful from time to time is normal. It allows your brain to warn you about things that may harm you. However, if your fear is ongoing, or starts impacting your daily life, including how you manage your diabetes, it’s time to act. Here are some common fears people living with diabetes can experience. Fear of needles and injections This is one of the most common fears, affecting up to 1 in 4 adults. It involves anxiety or worry around blood glucose checks or insulin injections, which can make diabetes management harder. Fear of hypoglycaemia (hypo) This fear is about worrying your blood glucose levels will drop too low and cause a hypo. Hypo symptoms can feel unpleasant, such as shakiness, confusion, hunger and tiredness. Fear of having a hypo may stop you doing things you enjoy. It may also mean you try to keep your blood glucose level higher than recommended to avoid a hypo. Fear of diabetes-related complications Nearly 2 out of 3 people living with diabetes fear long-term diabetes complications such as eye, kidney or nerve damage. While it’s important to be aware of complications, the stories you hear often represent the most severe cases. While anyone can develop a complication, you can reduce your risk by having regular diabetes health checks. Below are some strategies that can help you overcome your fears. These strategies can be applied to any fear, not just the ones listed above. Strategies to build confidence The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) website has a looking after your mind resource hub. These resources have practical tips and strategies to help you manage your fears and take back control. To find which strategies work best for you, try them when you’re feeling calm and practice regularly so you’ll feel more prepared when facing your fears. Use your breath to calm your body and mind Try a simple breathing exercise like the square breathing technique. Doing this regularly can help you stay calm in stressful times. Get prepared before appointments or procedures Sometimes fears are driven by a concern about being out of control. Learn what to expect ahead of time. By understanding what happens in different situations, you can develop strategies to feel more confident and in control. Pull the handbrake on unhelpful thoughts Notice when negative thoughts show up, and practise interrupting or pausing them. You might say ‘stop’ out loud, take a breath or shift your focus to something more helpful. Accept support from family and friends. By sharing your concerns or taking someone with you to appointments, you can reduce your fears and feel less alone. Explore digital tools and resources Try apps or websites that offer mental health screening tools, wellbeing programs, or access to online counsellors. Knowing when to seek support If your fears feel overwhelming, prevent you from managing your diabetes, or you would like some extra help, there is support available. You can start by talking with your GP or a Credentialled Diabetes Educator, or exploring free support services, such as Lifeline. Your body, mind and best life Remember, taking care of your body and mind, including facing your diabetes-related fears, is one of the best things you can do for your overall wellbeing. It can help you feel stronger, more confident and ready to live the life you want.
