Health care professionals need better support to diagnose and treat type 1 diabetes eating disorders, study indicates

Disordered eating in people living with type 1 diabetes is often referred to as T1DE. Diabulimia is one example of T1DE, a dangerous eating disorder which involves deliberate misuse of insulin for weight loss, leading to severe health problems and even death.

New research from the University of Surrey, led by Dr. Katie Fitzgerald and supervised by Dr. Rose-Marie Satherley highlights the challenges health care professionals face in recognizing and treating T1DE. The research is published in the journal Diabetic Medicine.

The study found that health care professionals face difficulties identifying and addressing T1DE in practice. This is due to a lack of support, limited confidence, and the fears of their patients’ reactions and of damaging their patient-health-care-provider relationships. This may lead to delays in diagnosis and potentially life-threatening complications for patients.

The study found that some health care professionals often perceived T1DE as an “inevitable” consequence of living with type 1 diabetes, leading to a sense of helplessness. This perspective, combined with a lack of training and clear guidelines, can contribute to missed opportunities for early detection and support.

Dr. Rose-Marie Satherley, co-author of the study and lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Surrey, said, “Our study highlights the need for better training and clear clinical guidelines to support health care professionals in addressing disordered eating in adults with type 1 diabetes. The phrase ‘a bit of a black hole’ that was used by one participant aptly captures the uncertainty and confusion surrounding T1DE.

“There is a real fear and lack of confidence these professionals are experiencing, so we must address the intersection of physical and mental health in diabetes care. We must equip our teams with psychological expertise, effective communication strategies, as well with the tools and support they need to have these critical conversations to help improve their patients’ health.”