Mostly we hear about type 1 and type 2 diabetes on social media and in the news, but did you know that there are more than 2 types of diabetes? Let’s shed the light on different types of diabetes. The three main types are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, but there are also:

• Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) (Sometimes known as type 1.5 diabetes because the signs and symptoms of it seem to cross between both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is almost always diagnosed in adults, between the ages of 30-50);
• Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) (a rare form of diabetes which is different from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but is genetic and runs in families. MODY is caused by a mutation in a single gene);
• Neonatal diabetes (Neonatal diabetes is when diabetes is diagnosed before 6 months of age. Neonatal diabetes usually resolves before a baby turns one);
• monogenic diabetes;
• cystic fibrosis-related diabetes;
• diabetes caused by rare conditions;
• Steroid Induced Diabetes (triggered by long-term corticosteroid use (usually 3 months or longer).

There are many lesser-known forms of diabetes that require alternative treatments. If you have been diagnosed with any type of diabetes, you need to remember that you are not alone! Talk about what you feel. You should not be afraid of your feelings. The only way to cope with them is to feel them!