When diabetes weighs more than sugar- unravelling diabetes distress

For decades, the gold standard of diabetes management has been defined by glucose metrics and technological mastery. Yet, for many people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes the relentless 24/7 demands of self-management can create a profound emotional burden that often goes unseen. Our session will introduce the 2026 EASD Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessing and Managing Diabetes Distress, a landmark document that elevates emotional health to the same level of clinical priority as physical outcomes

Diabetes distress is not a mental illness like depression; it is a natural, expected response to the overwhelming challenges of managing a chronic condition that never gives its owner a break. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on both quality of life and self-care, there remains a critical gap in clinical practice. Healthcare professionals often report uncertainty in distinguishing distress from depression or lack the practical tools to initiate meaningful conversations.

I hope during our time together we will empower and inspire the multidisciplinary team from to move beyond ‘monitoring numbers’ toward a more holistic and person-centred approach. We will explore the latest Good Practice Statements, which recommend discussing the emotional side of diabetes at every consultation using open-ended questions and validated assessment tools like the PAID or DDS scales. Join us as we refine clinical excellence by ensuring that no person with diabetes has to struggle silently with the emotional weight of their condition.