Managing the psychosocial impact of type 1 diabetes in young people (4 April 2022)

Summary

Young people with type 1 diabetes experience higher rates of psychological distress, periods of burnout and feelings of being unable to cope with the daily burden of living with diabetes, than those who are diagnosed as adults.

This article in The BMJ considers approaches to reduce anxiety and stress in young people with diabetes including:

• family, peer, and psychological support and education on living with diabetes.
• psychological screening assessment tools at diagnosis and annually.
• ensuring there are adequate local mental health support pathways.
• psychological and behavioural interventions, such as solution focused therapy, coping skills training, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy.