When to seek mental health care with type 1 diabetes 

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
When to seek mental health care with type 1 diabetes]

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[Text on screen: Aaron Breedlove, PhD
Psychologist
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center]

Aaron Breedlove, PhD: There are many signs and symptoms that a person with type 1 diabetes should seek help. Any mood symptoms, depression, anxiety, pulling away from activities that they love is definitely a sign to seek professional help. Anger. Type 1 diabetes, there is no cause. 

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We don't understand exactly the development of type 1, so it kind of comes out of nowhere and surprises people. There's no real lifestyle factors, so it doesn't always make sense. So sometimes anger, existential anger about this diagnosis. I call type 1 diabetes a job that nobody applied for, but you spend hours a day managing it. So irritability and anger definitely goes along with type 1 diabetes.

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I think people with type 1 diabetes should seek care, mental health care, at diagnosis. I think it's very important to screen early and often to learn skills to help analyze, to help assess mood symptoms, and also learn some basic stress management skills that makes managing type 1 diabetes easier.

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
For more information, visit: wexnermedical.osu.edu/mental-behavioral]

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