What are considerations for behavioral health and diabetes?

Diabetes self-management is demanding and complex. Not only does diabetes impact patients physically, it also has behavioral, psychological, and social impacts, and demands high levels of self-efficacy, resilience, perceived control, and empowerment.

Diabetes distress and depression are common among adults with diabetes and are associated with suboptimal self-management, diabetes-related complications, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.

Psychosocial care should be integrated with collaborative, patient-centered medical care and provided to all people with diabetes, with the goals of optimizing health outcomes and health-related quality of life.

Providers should consider an assessment of symptoms of diabetes distress, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating and of cognitive capacities using patient-appropriate standardized/validated tools when having visits with patients.

The guides below can assist you.

Download American Diabetes Association Guide to Diabetes and Emotional Health >

Download American Diabetes Association Guide to Diabetes and Emotional Health >

Download American Diabetes Association Anxiety Disorders Overview >

Access all American Diabetes Association Anxiety Behavioral Health Resources >