[Mental and neurocognitive diseases and diabetes mellitus (Update 2026)]

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with mental diseases. Depressive disorders are twice as frequent in patients with diabetes compared to the nondiabetic population. Other mental diseases that frequently occur with diabetes and prediabetes are cognitive impairment up to dementia, disturbed eating behavior, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder. The unfavorable effects of these comorbidities on metabolism are lasting and are manifested as poorer metabolic control and increased microangiopathic and macroangiopathic complications. The aim of this position paper is to raise awareness of all medical specialists as well as all other professional groups and organizations involved in the topic of diabetes to achieve an intensification of the complex treatment interventions in affected patients. Positive effects would include a reduced incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with mental disorders and a reduction of diabetes-specific complications, particularly cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as well as an improved quality of life in individuals with diabetes and comorbid mental illness.