The emotional world of the diabetic patient.

An assessment of the emotional world of the diabetic patient is proposed as a means of augmenting the clinician's understanding and treatment of his/her patients. The importance of considering the patient's unconscious as well as overt means of communicating is emphasised. The defence mechanisms of denial, displacement and intellectualization are described and examples of their application in clinical work are explored. Equipped with a greater understanding of the intra-psychic world of the individual the clinician is more likely to remain attuned to the patient and thereby to facilitate an exploration of the factors that are perpetuating poor diabetic control.