Special Psychosocial Issues in Diabetes Management: Diabetes Distress, Disordered Eating, and Depression

Diabetes distress, disordered eating, and depression are common but often poorly recognized conditions that are often mutually self-sustaining and can confound a primary care physician's approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. There are validated screening instruments and evidence-based treatments for each of these. In devising a treatment plan for patients with these conditions, it is important for the primary care physician to target key issues, such as encouraging family support, instilling self-efficacy, understanding the value of a supportive physician-patient relationship, choosing medications that have evidence-based support, and making referrals to appropriate behavioral health providers.