Television actress Aishwarya Sakhuja has publicly opened up about being misdiagnosed before eventually being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, as she marks a decade of living with the condition. The actress, known for her roles in shows such as Saas Bina Sasural, Main Naa Bhoolungi, Trideviyaan, and Rishta.com, shared a heartfelt reflection on Instagram on 18 October 2025, describing ten years of insulin, lifestyle changes, and evolving self-awareness.

The Misdiagnosis and the Moment Everything Changed

In her Instagram post, Sakhuja recalled the disorienting period before her correct diagnosis, writing: '10 years ago, I was misdiagnosed. And before I knew what was happening to my body, I had no idea that my life was about to change in a way I would have to navigate every single day.' She noted that the decade since has been marked by constant learning and daily management of her condition.

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition in which the body produces little to no insulin, is frequently misdiagnosed — particularly in adults — as Type 2 diabetes or other metabolic disorders. Delayed or incorrect diagnosis can have serious health consequences, making early awareness and testing critical.

A Decade of Insulin, Highs, and Hard Days

Sakhuja did not shy away from the more difficult realities of her condition. '10 years of insulin. 10 years of learning my body. 10 years of highs, lows, lessons, frustration and figuring things out as I go,' she wrote, adding that on many days, self-care feels like a full-time job. She also spoke to the physical dimension of living with the condition, including what she described as 'lumps, bumps and imperfections' — a reference to the visible effects of repeated insulin injections.

Notably, the actress was candid about not wanting to romanticise her experience: 'I won't romanticise diabetes. It can be exhausting, unfair and incredibly demanding. But it is a part of my life, not the entirety of who I am.' This kind of frank public disclosure is relatively rare among Indian television personalities and has drawn attention from the diabetes and chronic-illness communities online.

Message of Self-Compassion and Community

A significant thread running through Sakhuja's post was the emphasis on self-compassion over perfection. She said she has had to 'learn to be kinder' to her body — one that, as she described it, carries her through work, relationships, and everyday life. She also extended a direct message to others navigating the same condition: 'If you're living with Type 1 diabetes, I hope you know that you don't have to do this perfectly to be doing your best.'

Her post concluded on a forward-looking note, expressing hope for 'a decade of learning, adapting and living' and a commitment to being gentler with herself going forward.

Why This Matters Beyond Celebrity Disclosure

India has one of the highest burdens of diabetes globally, with the International Diabetes Federation estimating tens of millions of Indians living with the condition. While Type 2 diabetes commands most public health attention, Type 1 — which requires lifelong insulin therapy — remains significantly under-discussed and, according to medical experts, frequently misdiagnosed. Celebrity disclosures such as Sakhuja's can meaningfully raise awareness of early diagnosis and the psychological weight of chronic illness management. Her post arrives ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, a period of heightened public health focus on the condition.