Diabetes Blues, UK

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Depression;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 22 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Diabetes UK is calling for more psychological support for young adults with Type 1 diabetes as new research shows that a third report symptoms of depression.

We want diabetes services to be better targeted to meet the needs of young people.

These improvements are urgently needed, as the study found that 35 per cent of young people taking part showed symptoms of depression.

The study

The survey, conducted at Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia, and the University of Western Australia, looked at 92 young adults with Type 1 diabetes aged 18 to 28 years. It found that young adults with depressive symptoms had poorer glycaemic control.

Teenage struggle

Teenagers and young adults with Type 1 diabetes often struggle to manage their condition. Teenagers also tend to be more insulin resistant due to the physiological changes of adolescence and find it harder to keep good diabetes control.

"We are deeply concerned about these research findings," said Simon O'Neill, Director of Care, Information and Advocacy Services at Diabetes UK.

"Young people with Type 1 diabetes need to feel that they are receiving the right support and advice when it comes to managing their condition to help reduce their levels of psychological distress."

A Diabetes UK-funded study could help

Diabetes UK is funding a study that looks into the additional health challenges faced by young people with diabetes and aims to find ways to make the transition from paediatric to adult clinic easier.

Diabetes UK