Uncertainty, fear, anxiety or anger, stress or depression are some of the reactions that follow the diagnosis of type II diabetes.They are data from a study carried out by the Federation of Spanish Diabetics, the General Council of Psychologists and the Astrazeneca Foundation on the psychological support needs of the patients of those who suffer from this pathology that affects more than 5.3 in Spain in SpainMillions of people (in 13.8%,), of which almost half are unaware that the one who suffers it.
In most cases, the diagnosis of type II diabetes comes as a result of a blood test performed for another reason for the disease."Diabetes does not hurt," says Andoni Lorenzo, president of the Federation of Spanish Diabetics.That is why after the diagnotic reactions fear or anxiety occur.
Therefore, in addition to medical treatment, the psychological is essential to combat this pathology, since among other aspects improve the adherence to the treatment and acceptance of the same by the patient, as explained by Francisco Santolaya, president of the General Council of Psychologyfrom Spain.
And one of the first reactions is usually the disbelief: "This cannot be happening to me."Accept the pathology and fulfill the treatment are fundamental aspects for the patient's self -care, which also has to move in a social context that does not help much to those who suffer from this pathology, something that is further complicated on dates like these, in which theCelebrations abound, Santolaya warns.
The objective of this study has been to value psychological support for patients with type II diabetes, a crucial aspect in their treatment, as Julio Sánchez Fierro, Astrazeneca stands out."Being a chronic pathology, it is essential that this support be maintained over time and adapts to each stage of life of the patient," he adds.And it is that psychology professionals have an important role in giving guidelines that allow to accept the new situation to which the disease gives rise and live with it.
Among the objectives of psychological intervention are to change habits.Food and sedentary lifestyle are key factors.The data speak alone: the profile of the type II diabetes patient included in this study encompasses overweight people (90% of the interviewees were overweight/obesity before diagnosis), which does not perform anything or very little exercise (the50%), and with family history (63%).The change in life habits is precisely one of the most difficult aspects to handle, and here the help of the psychologist can be decisive.
The study arises as a collaboration agreement to carry out activities aimed at promoting greater knowledge of the application of psychology in diabetes and is fundamentally promoted by the interest of the Federation of Spanish Diabetics in analyzing the current situation and possibilities of the future of supportpsychological that is lending public health to patients with type II diabetes mellitus.
more frequent reactions
As stated in this study, the most common manifestation after diagnosis is uncertainty or fear (in 34% of respondents), anxiety and anger (in 30.5%, in both cases), stress (in a28.5%) and depression (in 18.5%).Despite this, only 6% of the patients surveyed recognize having asked for support from a psychologist.
Of those who received psychological help, 8.3% consider that it was very useful or quite useful.Among patients who did not have this type of help, one in three considers that they would have helped them accept the disease and make changes in life habits.
Various researchScientists have discovered multiple psychological factors related to diabetes such as uncertainty about possible future complications, fear of hypoglycemia, alterations in the lifestyle of affected people, difficulty in social and couple relationships, among others.The psychologist's work focuses on teaching the patient to acquire healthy habits;decrease fear, anxiety, sadness and other negative emotions that may appear;Improve communication with their family and friends and control stress levels to improve their physical and emotional quality of life.
more information
Together with the psychological demands, the survey reflects a need for more information on the risks of the disease and long -term treatment or on the guidelines to continue with food.Despite having been diagnosed with a chronic disease, 62.5% of patients value their health as good or very good.
According to 45.2% of respondents, Spanish society is little or nothing informed about type II diabetes, and nine out of ten states that it is quite or completely necessary to inform the population about it.Thus, support from specialized psychologists to people suffering from type II diabetes is considered important for two out of three interviewees, being destined to face substantial changes in their life habits.
