Mental impact of diabetes laid bare in report

THOUSANDS of people with diabetes in Wales need better emotional and psychological support, a charity has warned.

A new report from Diabetes UK asked 400 Welsh diabetes patients about what it was like to live with the condition and what they want to change in the future.

More than two thirds (67%) of respondents said the condition impacts on their mental health or emotional wellbeing.

Similarly a third of respondents (38%) said diabetes hindered their everyday life – and just 29% said they felt in control of their condition.

The research also found a third (32%) had at some point relied on self-help materials including books, videos and resources found online.

And almost one in five (18%) had used support or counselling from a trained professional to help them manage their diabetes.

Ben Roberts, 11, from Cardiff, was diagnosed with Type One diabetes in March and has since suffered with panic attacks and anxiety.

His mum Tracy Wiggham said: “Ben was waking at night to go to the toilet and was constantly thirsty. He was tired too but he did so much sport.

“I knew somewhere at the back of my mind that these were symptoms of diabetes but it’s so easy to put them down to other things.”

Ben’s GP sent him to hospital for a blood test where it was confirmed his sugar levels were too high. A simple finger prick test then confirmed the diabetes diagnosis.

Tracy added: “I remember the GP saying ‘This is going to be a massive life change for Ben and the whole family’ and I am learning how right she was. Ben was in tears and my head was spinning.

“I was trying to keep calm because I didn’t want to panic him but I didn’t really know what the diagnosis meant.

“At the beginning it was all very emotional. I suppose we went through a type of bereavement.

“The constant finger prick tests, measuring and weighing food, thinking about his sugar levels and what activity he’s doing, dealing with hypos – it is a constant balancing act.

“Ben is fantastic at managing his condition himself but it’s a big responsibility for an 11-year-old who just wants to be off with his friends.”

Tracy said Ben’s diabetes team has been “amazing” and had supported the family through some difficult times.

“Ben coped really well with his diagnosis and seemed to take much of it in his stride but whenever we had to go any distance away from home he became really anxious, basically having panic attacks.

“We arranged to see the team psychologist who really reassured him, explaining he was going through a big adjustment and gave him some coping techniques.

“She also suggested we bring Rebecca, Ben’s sister, to follow-up appointments. It impacts on her too and I often feel guilty that Ben gets extra attention.

“Consistency of care is a big issue in Wales. We have been so lucky with the support we have received but I know this has not been everyone’s experience.”

Diabetes UK Cymru is calling for increased support for adults and children living with diabetes from a multidisciplinary diabetes team.

It also wants non-diabetes specialist staff, including GPs, practice nurses and psychologists, to be given training to understand the condition, and its psychological impact, better.

In response, a Welsh Government spokesman said: “We recognise the impact diabetes can have on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of an individual and we expect health boards to provide appropriate psychological support to people living with the disease.”