Defusing Distress: Helping Patients with Diabetes Distress

1. Diabetes distress is emotional distress that captures the worries, concerns and fears among individuals struggling with diabetes.

a) True
b) False

2. Diabetes distress cannot be treated with depression medications because it is not clinical depression. It requires a greater focus on acknowledging and addressing the emotional and behavioral obstacles associated with diabetes.

a) True
b) False

3. At any point in time, about 40% of adults with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes report significant diabetes distress.

a) True
b) False

4. Patients with diabetes distress may experience:

a) Emotional burden of self-management
b) Worry of potential complications
c) Fear of potential loss of function
d) All of the Above

5. Many people with diabetes experience not only weight stigma but also diabetes stigma.

a) True
b) False

6. Diabetes Distress is of significant clinical concern due its high prevalence and its clinically significant relationship with:

a) Lower self-efficacy
b) Less optimal eating and exercise behaviors
c) Lower medication adherence
d) Reduced health-related quality of life
e) All of the Above

7. Health care professionals can address diabetes distress by referring the patient to a qualified behavioral health professional, ideally one with experience in diabetes, for further assessment and treatment.

a) True
b) False

8. It is recommended to screen people with diabetes for diabetes distress at least annually, and also when:

a) Treatment targets are not met
b) Transition times in care
c) Presence of diabetes complications
d) All of the above

9. Diabetes distress is anchored in the day-to-day experience of living with diabetes, whereas depression is the generic feeling of depressed affect, which is not linked to a specific condition or experience.

a) True
b) False