Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Face Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes requires continuous attention to insulin, food intake, physical activity and blood glucose levels. People may need to make treatment decisions throughout the day and night, while also managing concerns about low or high blood glucose and long-term complications. This ongoing workload can contribute to diabetes distress, anxiety or depressive symptoms. These experiences are not a personal failure, and they should not be confused with a lack of commitment to diabetes care. Psychological distress may itself make diabetes management more difficult, creating a cycle in which emotional wellbeing and physical health affect each other. The reported findings reinforce the need for healthcare teams to ask about mood, stress, sleep and treatment burden during diabetes appointments. Support may include diabetes education, peer support, counselling or mental-health treatment when clinically appropriate. An association between diabetes and mental-health symptoms does not mean every person with type 1 diabetes will develop depression or anxiety. Symptoms should be assessed individually, and treatment should be tailored to the person's circumstances. People experiencing persistent low mood, overwhelming worry or difficulty functioning should speak with a healthcare professional. Immediate help is important if someone feels at risk of harming themselves.