Poorva Chavan
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Written By: Poorva Chavan | Published : May 19, 2015 1:05 PM IST
Managing diabetes, either type 1 or 2 diabetes, takes a huge toll on one's mental health and stress is one of the main triggers of depression in diabetics. Diabetes, at times, is known to worsen other health conditions that can lead to depression. Scientists are now trying to figure out possible treatments for depression in diabetics through research. (Read: Expert diet and exercise tips to manage diabetes)
The prevalence of depression among diabetics is high with nearly 20% diabetics worldwide show symptoms of the disease. Depression is twice as common in patients suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes than in normal population. However, the causes of depression in diabetics are poorly understood, but research suggests a bi-directional association, at least for type 2 diabetes. (Read: Revealed A unique method to prevent type 2 diabetes)
According to experts, the assessment of diabetes-distress and depression in research and clinical practice would be essential to identify high-risk patients with different mental health needs. Despite research efforts over the past 20 years, scientific evidence about screening and treatment for depression in diabetes remains incomplete. (Read: Can juvenile diabetes be prevented?)
Validated instruments to detect depression in diabetes, although widely available, only become effective and thus recommended if subsequent treatment pathways are accessible, which is often not the case. Scientific evidence evaluating treatment for depression in type 1 and type 2 diabetes shows that the disease can be treated with moderate success by various psychological and pharmacological interventions, which are often implemented through collaborative care and stepped-care approaches. (Read: Can a gluten free diet help prevent type 1 diabetes in your child?)
More research is needed to evaluate treatment of different depression subtypes in people with diabetes, the cost-effectiveness of treatments, the use of health-care resources, the need to account for cultural differences and different health-care systems, and new treatment and prevention approaches. (Read: Researcher prevents Type I diabetes in lab)
The research has been published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
Image source: Getty Images
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