Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of Type 1 Diabetes Management

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is a demanding, complex lifelong condition. Optimal self-care involves repetitive behavioural tasks, undertaken ‘24/7’: administering multiple daily insulin doses, adjusted for food/activity and monitoring glucose levels to avoid hyper- and hypoglycaemia. This requires a comprehensive understanding of diabetes, as well as healthy coping, resilience, problem-solving, and risk reduction skills. It is unsurprising that many experience emotional distress as a consequence of living with type 1 diabetes, which impacts not only on their well-being but also on self-management and outcomes. Clinical guidelines acknowledge that diabetes affects both physical and emotional health. However, the misguided perception persists that the psychosocial care is separate from the diabetes care, and that it requires mental health specialists to assist. A paradigm shift is needed. Diabetes health professionals need to enhance their consultation skills to identify and address psychological needs, if they are to support people to live well with this challenging condition.