‘Diabetes requires mental support’

Almost two-thirds of people with diabetes experience emotional or mental health problems as a result of their condition, new research has found.

The Diabetes UK study found 64% of those questioned said they often or sometimes feel down because of their diabetes, with some suffering from problems such as depression and anxiety.

A third (33.6%) of respondents said diabetes had got in the way of them or a family member doing things they wanted to do in the previous week.

The study also found less than a third (28.7%) of Scots said they definitely felt in control of their condition.

Diabetes UK is call-

“Diabetes is the fastest-growing health crisis of our time”

ing for more provision of psychological support for people living with the condition across Scotland.

Claire Fleming, acting national director at Diabetes Scotland, said: “Diabetes affects more than 291,000 people in Scotland and is the fastest-growing health crisis of our time.

“This new research brings to light the isolation that can come from managing an invisible condition and how living with diabetes can be detrimental to a person’s emotional wellbeing without the right support.

“Effective diabetes care requires that a person’s emotional needs are taken into account alongside their physical care needs.

“We want to see a system where specialist support – from people who understand diabetes – is made available to those who need it.

“In Scotland, we’d like to see increased availability of trained staff to meet the emotional and psychological needs of people living with diabetes.”