Have you ever felt upset by the words someone used to describe your diabetes or your efforts to manage it? How we talk about diabetes matters more than we think, especially in conversations between individuals with diabetes and doctors.

      The #LanguageMatters movement, which is gaining attention worldwide, is focused on improving the way we communicate about diabetes. But there hasn’t been much research on how certain words or phrases impact people emotionally and mentally—until now.

      A recent study led by Eloise Litterbach from Deakin University looked into this. Published in Diabetic Medicine, the study surveyed adults with diabetes (or parents of children with diabetes) to find out how common diabetes terms made them feel. Over 850 people participated through social media, sharing their thoughts through an online survey.

      The survey asked about 22 common diabetes-related words and phrases. Participants rated these words based on whether they found them helpful, respectful, or harmful, and how they made them feel—did the words make them feel motivated and supported, or did they feel judged and blamed?

      Some words, like "non-compliant" (used to describe someone who isn’t following their diabetes plan), were seen as very negative. Over 60% of people felt judged by this term, and almost half felt blamed. Similarly, terms like "good/bad" blood glucose levels also led to negative feelings.

      On the other hand, positive reactions came from terms like "managing diabetes" and "person with diabetes," which people found respectful and supportive. These words made them feel understood and motivated.

      The study showed that the words we use can either uplift or harm. Many people shared that they felt more respected when simple, accurate, and neutral language was used, while negative or judgmental words often left them feeling stigmatized and unsupported.

      This research backs up the idea that language truly matters in diabetes care. It reminds us that choosing our words wisely can make a big difference in how someone feels about managing their diabetes.

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