Patients with Type 2 diabetes should now also be referred to mental health professionals as part of the management of the disease. A new report by the SA Society of Psychiatrists says healthcare providers should identify and treat anxiety and depression as an integral part of diabetes care.The report deals with results of tests exploring the prevalence and association of anxiety and depression in patients with diabetes.More than 2.3 million South Africans suffer from Type 2 diabetes - the second-highest incidence of the disease in Africa - and an estimated two million more remain undiagnosed.In a trial of more than 400 patients with Type 2 diabetes, researchers found increased risks of depression. Results correlated from three questionnaires showed low to severe depression in more than 30% of cases."There were strong indications that increased anxiety and depression lowered psychological wellbeing."Margot McCumisky, the executive manager of Diabetes SA, said diabetics were not being taught how to live with the disease, creating a negative perception around it."There is a strong chance of becoming anxious and depressed if you are unable to cope," she said.Cassey Chambers of the SA Depression and Anxiety Group said statistics worldwide showed those with chronic diseases usually showed greater anxiety and depression."In SA, even more so because so many people are exposed to greater trauma, crime, relationship issues, stress, grief, violence and so on," she said...