The levels of anxiety, depression and alexithymia in individuals diagnosed with diabetes and the affecting factors

Objective: This study aims to determine the levels of anxiety, depression and alexithymia in individuals diagnosed with diabetes and the affecting factors. Method: The study consisted of 208 patients aged 18 and over diagnosed with diabetes that have been receiving relevant treatment for at least 6 months and had no other chronic diseases. The patients had been registered in the internal medicine outpatient department of a training and research hospital for follow-up between January 15 and June 30, 2018 and had agreed to participate in the study. Results: In the study 61.1% of the patients were females, 57.7% were between 45-64 years old and 81.3% were married. A moderate-level of anxiety and alexithymia as well as a low-level of depression were found in the patients who reported adverse changes in their lives following the diagnosis of diabetes. A statistically significant relationship was found between the levels of anxiety, depression and alexithymia in the patients (p<0.001). Discussion: Patients diagnosed with diabetes should be regularly assessed for psychological distress such as anxiety, depression and alexithymia, as well as physical symptoms. Health professionals, especially nurses should support diabetic patients in developing strategies to cope with and manage these health problems.