‘PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT VITAL’ SAYS DIABETES UK CYMRU
Ahead of World Health Day 2017
Diabetes UK Cymru is highlighting the importance of psychological support for people with diabetes in South Wales ahead of this World Health Day (7 April 2017) which focuses on depression.
Depression is twice as common in people with diabetes1, yet less than one in four2 people with diabetes have access to appropriate emotional and psychological support.
Depression may be triggered by the impact of being newly diagnosed, the daily responsibility of managing the condition and/or the fear of complications caused by diabetes such as blindness and amputation.
In addition, people with diabetes may also experience anxiety and eating disorders including diabulimia.3 Also, they may have depressive episodes for longer periods which may recur more frequently than for people without the condition.
Diabetes UK Cymru’s Director Dai Williams said: “If you are feeling down about living with diabetes, ask your healthcare professional to talk you through our new ‘mood information prescription’ and make sure you’re getting all the help and support you need. A balanced diet and being active is important for good mental health as well as taking any prescribed medications.
“The best psychological support is vital for people living with diabetes. Managing diabetes well minimises your risk of developing serious, life-limiting complications. Yet mental health is often overlooked in diabetes care. Being able to get emotional support is one of Diabetes UK’s 15 Healthcare Essentials – yearly health checks which every person with diabetes should receive.”
For more information about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.uk
Notes
[1] Peyrot M, Rubin RR, Lauritzen T et al (2005). Psychosocial problems and barriers to improved diabetes management:
[2] Diabetes UK (2015). 15 Healthcare Essentials online survey.
[3] The word ‘diabulimia’ merges the words ‘diabetes’ and ‘bulimia’. It is used to describe the situation where somebody deliberately and regularly reduces the amount of insulin they take due to concerns over their body weight and/or shape. More information at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
Diabetes UK has just launched the Mood Information Prescription which helps to guide a conversation between a person with diabetes about feelings of depression or fears about their condition with their doctor or nurse. More information at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes. For more information on all aspects of diabetes and access to Diabetes UK activities and services, visitwww.diabetes.org.uk
In the UK, there are more than 4.5 million people who have diabetes, of which over 1 million people have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know they have it because they haven’t been diagnosed. 11.9 million people are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of preventable sight loss in people of working age in the UK and is a major cause of lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.
People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. About 10 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 1. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It usually affects children or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity.
People with Type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce doesn’t work properly (known as insulin resistance). 85 to 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2. They might get Type 2 diabetes because of their family history, age and ethnic background puts them at increased risk. They are also more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if they are overweight. It starts gradually, usually later in life, and it can be years before they realise they have it. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition, tablets and/or insulin can be required.
