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Psychological attitudes toward diabetes in Latinos can create difficulty. Diabetes is troublesome for
Latinos. In general the diagnosis of diabetes is not well-received. Frequently, Latinos associate the
diagnosis of diabetes with negative stories and common misconceptions. One of the common
misconceptions is that a diabetes diagnosis is a death sentence, similar to other diseases like cancer
for which there is no cure.
In the Latino population an individual may face social consequences when diagnosed with diabetes,
such as:
- Social stigma
- Isolation
- Guilt
- Frustration
Diabetes Distress is frequent among Latinos. All the issues related to diagnosis treatment and regular
management of diabetes can create anxiety and stress. It is also very common to observe depression
among Latino patients with diabetes. There is also reluctance to use insulin, which is called
Psychological Insulin Resistance.
Psychological Insulin Resistance or PIR is the reluctance to start or continue using insulin therapy
due to emotional or psychological reasons. In a study conducted in six cities we found that ethnic
minorities were less willing to use insulin than whites. Many of the reasons why patients with diabetes
were reluctant to use insulin were related to specific emotional issues. Some of them were associated
with the fear of using insulin such as:
- The idea that insulin causes harm, for instance that it could possibly
create problems in terms of eye conditions such as blindness
Insulin would probably make their diabetes even more severe,
would change or worsen the blood sugar
- Insulin restricts activities
- Insulin is painful
- The use of insulin can be permanent
- Using insulin is a sign of personal failure
Another important point to consider when dealing with Latinos with diabetes is the presence of
depression.
The mortality rate among patients with both diabetes and depression is three times higher than in those
patients with diabetes and no depression. Among those patients with both conditions almost 40% of
them have macro vascular complications, micro-vascular complications and almost 40% of them have
disability. Mexican-American patients with minor depression had significantly higher risk of co-morbid
disease than those with neither condition.
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