Depression, diabetes-related distress, and anxiety in pediatric diabetes

Abstract

In the context of pediatric diabetes, depression and anxiety are associated with the direct medical management of diabetes and with social and family functioning. Data indicate that youth who experience depression and/or anxiety also suffer from an increased risk for negative health outcomes, and these risks are related to the psychological distress and perceived burden of daily diabetes management. Family factors such as poor cohesion, parental criticism, and family psychiatric history may be associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Family-based interventions that integrate education about diabetes in addition to traditional therapy strategies are effective for ameliorating depression and anxiety. Regular screening during outpatient diabetes clinics for depression and anxiety can help to identify youth with diabetes in need of psychological services. Consideration of the family and social environments in which children live is important to optimizing care. The literature for youth with type 2 diabetes is more limited than for youth with type 1, and further work to understand the etiology of symptoms and appropriate interventions is necessary.