Version 6.0.0. September 2025. First published August 2016. 001268-NDSS. Print Share on Facebook Share on X Key facts Insulin is a medicine that is used to manage blood glucose levels. Needing insulin does not mean you have failed or done something wrong. It is common to feel concerned about starting insulin. The good news is there are ways to make it feel easier. Talk to a diabetes health professional for support and advice if you have concerns about starting insulin. Related pages Medicines for diabetes Glucose monitoring Looking after your mind Find a health service Find a health professional or pharmacy in your area. On this page Reasons people feel concerned about starting insulin What you can do if you are feeling concerned Who can help? More information and support Reasons people feel concerned about starting insulin Many people with type 2 diabetes need more than one medicine to manage their blood glucose. Insulin is one of these medicines and it works well. But the idea of starting insulin can make people feel: worried about needles or pain scared of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia or hypo) embarrassed about what others might think angry about needing insulin like they have failed or done something wrong. ‘In my mind it sort of felt that, if I went on insulin, I wasn’t doing well enough with my diet and exercise, even though I was exhausting myself.’Chris, 67, lives with type 2 diabetes Needing insulin is not your fault and does not mean you have failed. But if these concerns stop you from managing your diabetes, it is important to get support. For example, talk with your diabetes health professional if you: delay starting insulin, skip doses or stop insulin altogether miss medical appointments to avoid talking about insulin blame yourself or others. Your diabetes health professional will help you understand your feelings and will help you find ways to feel more confident about starting insulin. What you can do if you are feeling concerned Here are some ideas that might help. Try the ones that feel right for you. Learn more Insulin has many benefits. Learning about how it works can help you feel more in control. Take your time and look for information from trusted sources such as government websites, support organisation websites, and medical journals. A good place to start is calling the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 to help you identify the pros and cons of each option. Notice your thoughts and feelings Notice what your thoughts and feelings about insulin are. Ask yourself: Is this thought/feeling helpful? What is a more helpful way of thinking about the situation? Talk with people you trust, such as family, friends, or your diabetes health professional. You can also visit the NDSS website Looking after your mind for ways to manage worries and fears, or how to cope with change. Ask questions It is okay not to know everything. Writing down your questions and concerns can help. Bring your list to your next diabetes appointment so you don’t forget. There are no silly questions. Your diabetes health professional wants to hear your concerns so they can support you. Make a list It can help to write down the positives and negatives when you need to make a tough decision. You can use this Insulin decision tool to help you. Talk through your list with your diabetes health professional. Connect with others Talking to others with diabetes can help. You will see that you are not alone and can share ideas. Join a peer support group or online community. Visit the NDSS Peer support webpage to find out more. Who can help? Your diabetes health professionals Your diabetes health professionals are there to help you and give you non-judgmental support and advice. You may want to talk with your: general practitioner (GP) endocrinologist diabetes educator diabetes nurse practitioner dietitian. They can help you make a plan and can explain what to expect from insulin. You might also: attend a structured diabetes education session with a diabetes educator attend a group education session in your area try the NDSS online learning program Living with Insulin ask your health professional or diabetes organisation in your state/territory for more information. A diabetes educator Talk to a diabetes educator about your concerns around starting insulin. They can provide you with information about using insulin, what the different types of insulin are, and when and how to inject. You can ask them about insulin even if your doctor has not prescribed it yet. The diabetes educator may even have a ‘training’ insulin pen so you can practice without using real insulin. A psychologist A psychologist can help you find ways to manage your concerns about using insulin. Ask your diabetes health professional if they know a psychologist who understands diabetes. Visit the Australian Psychological Society website at psychology.org.au to find a psychologist near you. Your GP can tell you if you qualify for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This allows you to get Medicare rebates to help with the costs of your appointments. ‘I know eventually I probably will have to go to insulin and that’s going to be an absolute pain… but then it’s going to be an absolute pain if I don’t do it.’Caroline, 58, person with type 2 diabetes Further information and support Visit the NDSS Peer Support website to learn about peer support, read about others living with diabetes, or search the directory of online and face-to-face peer support groups across Australia. Visit the NDSS Looking after your mind website for more information on emotional wellbeing and diabetes. Visit the Australian Diabetes Educators Association website and search for a credentialled diabetes educator in your area. They can help you learn more about diabetes and insulin. Find a dietitian near you by visiting the Dietitians Australia website. They can help you learn more about food and insulin. Call the NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator or a dietitian. This information is intended as a guide only. It should not replace individual medical advice and if you have any concerns about your health or further questions, you should contact your health professional. Developed in collaboration with The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, a partnership for better health between Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University.
