Health is of paramount importance to us and disease is always perceived as a threat to our well being and to our life
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Heart attack evokes a scare and fear of death.This fear remains even after successful treatment. Not only the patient but his friends and relatives are also shaken.They may consult a cardiologist and make changes in their lifestyle.
Cancer creates a fear of death.It is a sudden news and signals exit from this world in near future.The whole family is shaken. Fortunately many treatments are available now, due to the advances in medical technology. Coping with the long term suffering needs a support system. It is a major setback for the patient which changes his outlook towards life.
A sudden attack of stroke paralyses the patient in every sense. A mighty hand of destiny strikes a powerful blow to his existence. "why me?" is the question that bothers him.
It is an ordeal to remain bed ridden and disabled throughout the life.
Parkinson's disease evokes self pity. Patient feels trapped and helpless. He undergoes a lot of suffering and leads a very restricted life till the end.It is an agony. His family also suffers along with him. He is haunted with the thoughts "Why me?" "Is it my past karma?" What have I done?
Tuberculosis causes a stigma and also the long term suffering due to the adverse effects of the medicines.He would not like others to know about it.
In most of these diseases, people turn to spirituality, perform rituals, visit the family deity. Also they may consult an astrologer, who reassures them and asks to perform some rituals (at a reasonable cost)
What about diabetes?
Diabetes does not create a panic or a threat to life. The literature mentions that he suffers from depression but soon recovers and become normal.
There is no "why me?" feeling in diabetes because he is not the only one. Many of his friends and relatives have it. It has become so common in society that there is no shock or a surprise or a stigma (It may add to the status)
He reacts in different ways:
"So it has come, I was expecting it",
"No wonder, it is in our family"
"Now I should not eat sweets".
"I feel nice ,no symptoms"
He does not feel the burden of the problem (which he should be feeling) There are ups and downs in the blood sugar, but he is cool. He knows various complications of diabetes, but is indifferent. His family is also cool.
I have not seen a 'worried' diabetic yet,.
Who is afraid of diabetes?
Patients take even serious consequences lightly if they develop slowly over a long time. Like Bahadur Shah Jaffar, who said, "दिल्ली बहोत दूर अस्त!" Suggest how they can be made to realize the risk as if by sitting in a time machine.
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