World Diabetes Day: psychiatrists say mental health matters as much as medication in diabetes care

Cases of diabetes are rising among young people, and it is becoming a major public health concern. Emotional and mental distress often accompanies it and frequently goes unnoticed. On being diagnosed, a person may feel anxiety, fear, irritation and helplessness, as a lifetime of medication, dietary restrictions and lifestyle changes lies ahead.

On World Diabetes Day on November 14, psychiatry specialists spoke about the mental impact of diabetes, ways of coping after diagnosis, and why mental health is as important as managing blood sugar.

On the initial shock, psychiatrists said the first step is to accept the condition without blaming oneself or assuming the worst. According to consulting psychiatrist Dr Rashmi Joshi, patients should understand that diabetes can arise from genetic, lifestyle and stress-related causes and is not necessarily anyone's fault. She said patients should speak to medical experts, understand the goals of treatment and take support from family members involved in their care.

Dr Heena Merchant Pandit, professor and additional head of the psychiatry department at LTMMC and GH Sion hospital, said: "Diabetes is a diagnosis, not a failure. It is just information." She told patients not to make it their identity and to focus on habits within their control, such as diet and exercise.

Consulting psychiatrist Dr Kirti Tandel advised against burdening oneself with information about possible complications as soon as diabetes is diagnosed. In her view, it is better to understand one's illness and treatment through a doctor.

Tandel said medication and treatment are necessary, but emotional support is equally important. She said symptoms such as irritability, disturbed sleep or persistent anxiety may signal ongoing stress linked to diabetes, and that a mental health specialist should be consulted if needed. Joshi asked patients and parents alike to make use of the clinic's group therapy, support groups and online communities, so that loneliness is reduced and practical ways of coping with daily life can be shared.

When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, parents often struggle with guilt, financial pressure and fear of emergencies. Pandit said type 1 is an autoimmune condition and is not caused by eating sweets or poor parenting. She advised parents to stay calm while checking blood sugar, because children easily pick up on their parents' panic and begin to feel insecure.

According to Joshi, unsolicited advice from relatives, worry about future marriage and the lack of trained staff in schools often lead parents to isolate their children from others. Tandel, however, asked parents to let children enjoy school, sports and birthdays, with the necessary precautions.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2025, about 8.98 crore adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in India in 2024. This places India second in the world among countries with the highest burden of diabetes. About 43 per cent of them, or 3.86 crore people, had not been diagnosed. The latest findings of NFHS-6 also point to a rise in high blood sugar compared with NFHS-5. Among women the figure rose from 13.5 per cent to 17.8 per cent, and among men from 15.6 per cent to 20.9 per cent.

For people aged 25 to 35 who are building careers and relationships, lifelong restrictions can feel unfair and isolating. Experts say constant dietary rules, insulin injections and peer pressure often cause irritation, anxiety and low self-esteem. They advise starting treatment early, without panic. In their view, discipline, yoga and meditation improve quality of life. They also say young people may compare their lives with friends who have no such health restrictions, and advise them not to put their dreams on hold or stay away from social life.