Psychoanalysis and diabetic control: a single-case study

The records of the 3 1/2 year, five times weekly psychoanalysis of a diabetic teenager with recurrent diabetic imbalance were examined using non-experimental single-case design methodology. A selected set of analytic themes was operationalized and independently rated for each week of the psychoanalysis. A weekly index of the quality of diabetic balance was also obtained for the same period. Time series analysis was used to examine the relationship between psychoanalytic themes and glycosuria. Two themes of psychic conflict were found to predict short-term changes in diabetic control. In the long term the verbalization of conflict was strongly associated with improved diabetic control. The results are discussed in terms of a psychoanalytic model of adaptation to diabetes.