Quality of Life and Psychological Aspects of Diabetes

Diabetes occupies an important rank among chronic diseases. Its prevalence and severity increase significantly of both somatic and psychic consequences that impairs people's quality of life. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2035, diabetes will affect 592 million people making it one of the leading causes of disability and death world wide. The prevalence of diabetes will increase then from 8.3% to 10.1% of the global population. The frequent use of insulin injections, the blood sugar control and treatment of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are all elements that are part of a diabetic daily life. This affects badly the psychological health. During recent decades, clinicians and researchers have gradually explored the psychological aspects of diabetes. A study in France of a sample of 50 diabetic patients found that 88% of participants reported that their life would be better if they were not diabetic. The items of quality of life most affected are: the overall quality of life, diet, psychological aspect, body image and self-esteem. As for health, diabetics often report physical and mental limitation, loss of energy, reduced social activities and entertainment, a frequency of occurrence of neuropathic pain and therefore an impaired general condition. The counseling can improve diabetic quality of life, treatment compliance, limit the patient's disability and help maintain its autonomy. The psychological effects can be kind of depression, anxiety, addictive behavior, personality disorders with regression, relationship difficulties and even suicidalideation. Psycho education is the most important step of diabetic patient counseling: explain the disease to the patient's family, its etiology, development, prognosis, therapeutic principles and possible side effects of treatment. Further more, a device that aims to improve self-esteem, to protect against the effects caused by the illness, and the perception that the subject has need to be developed. These negative effects are expressed in physical forms, physiological, or behavioral, evolving in terms of the degree of acceptance and disease control. This program will prevent and limit the effects of stress experienced daily, and there by improve the quality of life of diabetic patients.