Diabetes Distress: Assessment and Management of the Emotional Aspect of Diabetes Mellitus

Management of diabetes is well known to be a complex endeavor with many physical and psychological implications. Historically, primary focus has been on the physical complications of diabetes, with little attention being placed on the psychological repercussions. Patients with diabetes deal with intense psychological complications secondary to diabetes management, termed diabetes distress. Although related to emotions, this phenomenon differs from depression or anxiety. Management of diabetes distress includes a psychological approach with diabetes-specific care. Person-centered and positive strength-based language help build the clinician-patient relationship. Diabetes distress care is part of comprehensive diabetes management. •Diabetes distress is an emotional complication stemming from diabetes.•Assess for diabetes distress throughout the disease process, not only at diagnosis.•Diabetes distress management includes recognizing diabetes care implications on emotions.•Motivational empowerment and patient centered care approaches reduce diabetes distress.