Depression in Adolescents With Diabetes

TOPIC: Prevalence and interventions for depression in youth with type 1 diabetes. PURPOSE: To explore the co-morbidity of youth with diabetes and psychiatric conditions, and evaluate the relationship of youth with co-morbid depression and diabetes on glycemic control, quality of life, family support, behavioral problems, attributional style, and self-esteem. SOURCES: Relevant literature in both child and adolescent populations of psychiatry, psychology, and nursing. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with type 1 diabetes have significantly higher rates of depression over the general population. Seratonin reuptake inhibitors, cognitive behavioral treatment, interpersonal therapy, improving family communication and problem-solving skills, and diabetes education hold promise as treatment that can decrease depression in youth with diabetes. Advanced practice nurses are positioned to provide these interventions and treatments.