This new research brings a new dimension to the existing literature on the emotional aspects of diabetes. That literature is mostly anecdotal, and to my knowledge is contained in four important books.

Mind-Body Diabetes Revolution by Richard Surwit deals first with stress, which can raise blood glucose and may well be the most important mental factor. The other two subjects are depression and hostility, including cynicism, anger, and aggression.

The other excellent books dealing with diabetes and our emotions are Diabetes Burnout: What To Do When You Can’t Take It Anymore by William H. Polonsky and Psyching Out Diabetes: A Positive Approach to Your Negative Emotions by Richard L. Rubin and my old friends June Biermann and Barbara Toohey.

For me the most moving book about teenagers dealing with diabetes is the memoir Needles by Andie Dominick. Anyone who has type 2 diabetes and finds that condition hard to handle might want to read how difficult managing diabetes can be for a teenager. If you ever doubt that emotions are one of the legs by which we control our diabetes, you would be well advised to read any and all of these four books.