Originally published October 26 2005
Scottish doctors link depression to diabetes
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In response to the increasing number of diabetics, The Diabetes Buddy Service in Lothian offers emotional support to diabetics who have just learned of their condition and are susceptible to depression.
PATIENTS are to be offered counselling when they are diagnosed with diabetes in the Lothians to help them cope with the dramatic change in their lives.
Many patients suffer from depression after being told they will have to live with the condition for the rest of their lives.
Now family doctors are to be offered the opportunity to refer patients to a new support service.
The Diabetes Buddy Service in Lothian is run by volunteers who all have diabetes and are able to offer emotional support to those who have just been diagnosed.
The scheme has been launched with nine volunteer counsellors and those running the service are meeting doctors and health care professionals to explain the service they offer.
Lothian co-ordinator Ron Marsh said: "Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions and increasing at a huge rate and basically we want to see that people with diabetes are getting adequate care.
"Things like depression are very closely linked to diabetes - it's very common.
Being diagnosed with diabetes is a shock because suddenly you are not quite as immortal as you thought you might be.
"Because all of our buddies have diabetes, they know what it's like and can give hints and tips about how to cope with it.
"Because it's with you 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, diabetes is an illness that has to be your friend rather than a foe."
Ms Michie, who will be speaking at a conference for diabetes sufferers and their families at the Heriot-Watt University Conference Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday, explained diabetes manifested itself in two ways.
Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin and is treated by insulin injections.
People who are overweight are particularly likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, which is treated by diet and exercise.
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