Psychological Co-morbidities of Physical Illness

Abstract

Accumulating research suggests that the prevalence of a number of psychological disorders, including mood, anxiety, eating, and psychotic disorders, may be higher in adults with type 2 diabetes than in the general population. Furthermore, these disorders, along with subclinical presentations of psychological distress, have serious implications for the management of type 2 diabetes and are associated with worse health outcomes. In this chapter, we consider the evidence linking various psychological disorders with diabetes and review important assessment and treatment issues in the context of type 2 diabetes. Psychological intervention in type 2 diabetes patients who are experiencing psychological problems has the potential to improve psychological health, quality of life, and health outcomes. We emphasize the importance of treatment approaches that focus on the role of health behaviors and treatment adherence when addressing psychological problems in patients with type 2 diabetes, in order to maximize the potential health benefits of treatment.