People  with  diabetes  face  a  range  of challenges. Having the condition affects all areas of life; a number of psychological and emotional factors are involved. Recently, one of the authors of this article, Robin Wynyard, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The shock of being diagnosed provoked in him and his partner, Sue Shea, negative feelings that included fear, anxiety and uncertainty – a common emotional response which often goes unreported in the related literature. In this article, the authors share their experiences, highlighting the difficulties faced at the point of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and stressing the importance of a positive proactive response by people with the condition and close contact with a supportive diabetes healthcare provider.