New practical guide for health professionals to support emotional needs of adults with diabetes

Diabetes UK has launched a new resource to help healthcare professionals to support the emotional needs of adults with diabetes.

Diabetes is more than a physical condition because the relentless need for self-management can have a profound impact on emotional health. Monitoring blood glucose, injecting insulin, taking medications, and trying to constantly follow a healthy diet can be tough on people living with the condition, leading to emotional health problems.

“Diabetes and emotional health − a practical guide for health professionals supporting adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes” is an evidence based resource with dedicated chapters on common emotional issues that people living with diabetes might experience, such as eating problems, depression, anxiety disorders, fear of hypos and diabetes distress.

The guide also offers strategies and tools for how to recognize emotional problems and start conversations to address them, as well as for providing the right support, using consultation time more effectively and knowing when to refer on.

The resource was designed on the premise that when healthcare professionals take someone’s emotional needs into account, diabetes management improves, because the emotional and physical aspects of diabetes management cannot be separated.

Libby Dowling, Senior Clinical Advisor at Diabetes UK, said:

Looking after the emotional needs of people living with diabetes is as important as caring for their physical needs, but for many healthcare professionals starting those conversations isn’t easy. This resource has been created to help them feel more confident to discuss emotional needs during consultation time, provide support or refer to the right type of support when needed.

It will be invaluable in supporting healthcare professionals to provide holistic care to adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes”.

“Diabetes and emotional health − a practical guide for health professionals supporting adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes” was originally published by the National Diabetes Services Scheme in Australia and authored by a team of healthcare professionals specializing in psychology and diabetes. It has been adapted for a UK audience by an equivalent expert group of UK clinicians.