Management of Eating Disorders in Patients with Type 1 (Insulin Dependent) Diabetes

What is the prevalence of ‘diabulimia’ or eating disordered psychopathology in people with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes? Why does this matter? In the context of Type 1 diabetes, can eating disorders be usefully categorised into ‘anorexic’ and ‘bulimic’ subtypes? What are the potential complications of diabetes and how are these affected by the co-existence of an eating disorder? What are the risk factors for ‘diabulimia’? What are the warning signs and what screening can be offered? What should diabetic specialists and generalists know about this? Are there opportunities for primary or secondary prevention? What are the principles of management of Type 1 diabetes? What should eating disorders specialists know about this? Can these patients be treated using compulsion under Mental Health Law, obliging them to accept prescribed insulin injections? How can professionals communicate across disciplines to provide management that is tailormade to the patient’s individual situation? How should professionals manage patients with severe long-term ‘diabulimia’?