NEW DELHI: According to a report by Lancet, people with diabetes - both type 1 and type 2 - are two to three times more likely to develop depression and 20% more likely to develop anxiety than those without diabetes. The report further highlights that disordered eating or abnormal eating patterns are twice as common in people with type 1 diabetes. Among women with type 1 diabetes, diabulimia (insulin omission to lose weight) is the most common eating disorder, while binge eating is more common in women with type 2 diabetes.
The report also points out that 36 percent of people living with diabetes report experiencing diabetes distress, which refers to negative emotional reactions like anger, denial, guilt, shame, fear, worry, sadness, and stress. The report further added that 63% of people with diabetes report that their wellbeing is affected by the fear of developing diabetes-related complications and 28% find it hard to remain positive about their condition. Moreover, people with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) are more likely to experience emotional and mental health issues compared to those without the condition.
“These issues can range from diabetes distress to anxiety, depression, and disordered eating, all of which can be associated with suboptimal diabetes management, increased risk of diabetes-related complications, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs,” the report said. Diabetes distress affects around 36% of people with negative emotional re.
