Mental Health

Healthier lifestyle found to be result of symptom treatment.

In the Look AHEAD study, about 15% had symptoms of mild–moderate depression, about 17% were current users of antidepressant medication, and about 4% both [13]. Other studies in the USA have described higher rates, up to 25%, of more severe depression, with all ethnic groups (white, African-American, Latinos and others) recording similar rates.

Much of the literature concerns the important problem of type 2 diabetes and depression and, in comparison with type 1 diabetes, little about the psychological disturbances associated with specific phases of type 2 diabetes.

‘Brittle’ diabetes is a controversial and fortunately uncommon disorder, described especially in the UK and USA, usually occurring in young women, with onset at puberty, and defined as a patient whose life is ‘constantly disrupted by episodes of hypo- or hyperglycemia, whatever their cause.’

That there is a close link between long-term conditions and psychological functioning is to state the obvious. But the complexity of the relationship, especially in a condition that spans a lifetime, such as diabetes, has only relatively recently been explored.

Depressive symptoms are more common than diagnoses and treatment.

Researchers analyzing social networks found that type 2 diabetic patients with mental illness had smaller social networks… Social support has been linked with successful adoption of lifestyle modifications for people with type 2 diabetes. Patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes and a mental disorder often have diminished social networks …

SLE (Stressful Life Events) experienced by child during first 14 years of life associated with higher risk of diabetes… Genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. Multiple environmental factors have been studied, such as viral infections, dietary habits in infancy, birthweight, early weight gain, …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP Particular groups of patients with diabetes are at risk of different psychological problems (Table 25.1). Many chil­dren show remarkable resilience to the diagnosis of diabetes, but about one-third have some temporary psychological distress, mostly ‘adjustment disorders’ such as difficulty in sleeping, depression, …

Barbara J. Anderson, PhD, CDE and Abigail K. Mansfield Marcaccio, PhD The week’s excerpt answers the following questions: What are the two different meanings for the term depression? How often does depression in occur in those with diabetes? What are the implications for better self-care for those with depression? How …