Psychology in Diabetes Care and Practice

Book excerpt: This is an indispensable guide to diabetes care and practice, providing a thorough overview of the main issues that health professionals should keep in mind when treating someone with the condition, and how psychology plays a key role in diabetes self-management. Based on the latest research evidence along with numerous patient perspectives, the book looks at a wide range of topics in diabetes health psychology, from mental health conditions to theories of behaviour change, with a focus on comorbidities. Chapters describe the emotional impact of a diabetes diagnosis; the psychosocial issues surrounding living with diabetes; theories of behaviour applied to diabetes self-management; the impact of diabetes and depression; diabetes and eating disorders; the psychological impact of diabetes complications, and potential stigma associated with having Type 2 diabetes, including the psychological impact of weight loss surgery. Psychology in Diabetes Care and Practice enables the provision of support to reduce psychological distress and improve diabetes self-management. It helps patients to learn more about how best to manage their condition, as well as health professionals wanting to find appropriate ways to facilitate self-management.