Diabetes Mellitus: challenges related to self-care adressed in a Psychological Support Group

The purpose was to identify the feelings of users associated with the diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), the difficulties inherent of glycemic control and coping strategies adopted in face of the demands imposed by the disease. Qualitative study carried out with patients followed by a multiprofessional team group in a research center from a university in Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. Four group sessions, that were audio recorded and transcribed, constituted the corpus of research. The thematic analysis led to the categories: feelings aroused from the diagnosis of DM; difficulties in controlling the disease and coping strategies. The results showed different ways of dealing with the challenges posed by the disease on the diary activities, that directly influence on the treatment adherence and factors which are relevant for the design of more effective interventions.