Depression and anxiety in adults with diabetes

Depression and anxiety are common psychological disturbances in the general population, so much so that they are often referred to as “common colds” of mental illness. Depression and anxiety are also common among individuals with diabetes and are linked to the metabolic disorder in complex ways. Our understanding of these linkages and their temporal ordering has evolved over recent decades, yet these relationships are still only partially understood. In particular, there is not yet a thorough understanding of the contextual factors related to associations among diabetes, depression, and anxiety. This chapter provides a focused review of the literature regarding the intersection of diabetes and depression and anxiety, with an emphasis on contextual and methodological factors that may help to explain their associations.