Study on depression & anxiety rates of Type I diabetes patients

The purpose of the study is to examine anxiety and depression levels of children and teenagers with an age between 6 and 17, diagnosed as Type 1 diabetes in the Faculty of Medicine Hospital of Uludağ University in Bursa, and to reveal negative situations, created by diabetes disease. Impacts of the gender and age, starting age of the disease, whether knowing what diabetes is or not, sleeping patterns, diets after the diagnosis of diabetes, age range and levels of anxiety and depression are also discussed. Fifty individuals, whose ages were between 6 and 17 and diagnosed as Type 1 diabetes by Faculty of Medicine Hospital of Uludağ University in Bursa participated in our study. Depression Scale for Children and Continuous Anxiety Scale for Children were used as data collection means. At the same time, Personal Information Form was established by the researcher for the purpose of determining socio-demographical features of the individuals. According to socio-demographic features girls have more depression and anxiety than boys. The research shows that individuals, who know how to administer insulin, have more depression and anxiety than other individuals. Results did not differ by age and education level. When socio-demographical features are considered during the study; it is concluded that individuals have light levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety, and depression levels of girls are higher compared to boys, anxiety levels of the individuals with diabetes lasting for a period of 4 years or more are higher than other individuals, and anxiety levels of the individuals, who know how to administer insulin by themselves, are higher than other individuals. Significant results could not be obtained according to socio-demographical features, such as education levels and age ranges during the study. A significant relation was found between depression levels and anxiety levels of the group during the research. In the discussion section at the end of the study, suggestions were made in connection with researchers and the psychological supervisors working on site, and with the families on the basis of the findings.