The Psychological Aspects Of Diabetes

Experts have largely ignored the psychological aspects of diabetes since the disease was first discovered. However, those who suffer from this disease often experience stress, anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, there is now a new approach that takes all of these many factors into account. Physicians now place more emphasis on these vital aspects of a patient’s life.

The metabolic changes involved in diabetes completely change a person’s daily life. For this reason, one factor is often neglected, which is the close link between type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as mental health problems.

Experts estimate that approximately 50% of diabetic patients will have a psychological disorder at some point in their lives. Furthermore, diabetic patients are twice as likely to suffer from depression.

There is evidence that the risk of depression is higher in diabetic patients. Thus, the psychological aspects are there; they are obvious and must not be neglected. Ignoring the psychological aspects of diabetes cannot guarantee the proper treatment of every patient.

Physicians ‘and nurses’ empathy and training can help them prescribe the correct psychological treatment that will improve the quality of life of diabetic patients.

Psychological aspects of diabetes

It is not easy for someone to live with a chronic illness. It changes one’s daily habits, the way we deal with the people around us, and it even changes the way we look at ourselves. Diabetes is probably the chronic disease that changes patients’ everyday lives the most. 

While type 1 usually manifests itself in childhood, type 2 is the most common form of diabetes in the world, accounting for approximately 90-95% of all cases. This type manifests itself in adulthood, and in the majority of cases, the disease is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, including people’s eating habits.

In such cases, the body stops producing enough insulin so that it is able to use glucose as an energy source.

Aside from the causes that can lead to this common metabolic disorder, there are also other factors we need to keep in mind. A holistic approach to this disease is needed.

Many doctors focus their attention on the physical-organic changes that diabetes can produce. Although they obviously have to do this, there is still something that doctors and nurses often neglect: mental health.

A disease that overwhelms many patients

The psychological aspects of diabetes can often cause stress, fear and stress. This is an unusual disorder that patients have to live with every single day.

The patient needs to keep an eye on his blood sugar level and make decisions. In addition to the injections, there is a constant daily pressure involved in dealing with this disease.

This constant need to keep an eye on the disease often affects the self-esteem of diabetic patients in a very negative way. Diabetic patients can often experience a lot of emotional pain and even suffer from eating disorders. Furthermore, they often feel helpless.

The psychological aspects of diabetes and mental health

People with type 1 diabetes have three times the risk of suffering from depression than those who do not suffer from diabetes. Those who suffer from type 2 diabetes are twice as likely.

In terms of anxiety disorders, the incidence is just as striking. Diabetic patients have a 40% greater risk of suffering from anxiety compared to those who do not have diabetes.

As research has revealed, this disease also causes metabolic changes. Studies suggest that the inflammatory changes associated with diabetes may be linked to the development of depression.

It was discovered that pro-inflammatory cytokines interact with another area of ​​the brain and with the neurotransmitters responsible for this disease.

The need for a holistic approach to diabetes

The psychological aspects of diabetes should not be taken lightly. A person who is not feeling psychologically well will not be able to manage his illness properly. 

We need a different approach, a holistic approach, where doctors, psychologists, nutritionists and social workers all work together to help meet the patient’s needs.

Diabetes will not limit a person’s quality of life as long as there are sufficient available resources and support in all aspects of the disease.