Introduction Diabetes is a long-term condition associated with significant changes in lifestyle and quality of life. Due to its numerous social and psychological implications, it requires multifaceted care in order to be successfully treated. The following paper critically explores the components of long-term care and their impact on the quality of life of patients. Aetiology and Disease Progression Diabetes is a condition caused by abnormal levels of blood sugar. Two types of diabetes are commonly recognised, referred to as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The causes and symptoms of the conditions are relatively similar, which complicates the differentiation between the two (Diabetes.co.uk, n.d.). However, a set of common characteristics exists that can be used to determine each type. For instance, Type 2 diabetes is more often diagnosed in older populations, is commonly associated with excessive weight and high blood pressure, and is treated with lifestyle changes, as well as medication (Diabetes.co.uk, n.d.). There are also several aetiological differences that are more difficult to spot without professional medical assistance. Most prominently, Type 1 diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency, whereas Type 2 is characterised by insulin resistance, with relative deficiency playing a secondary role (BMJ Best Practice, 2017). Type 2 is also aggravated by ageing and lack of physical activity, which allows for treatment via the introduction of a healthy lifestyle and diet (BMJ Best Practice, 2017). Since insulin resistance can be lowered through weight reduction which, in turn, decreases the severity of the condition, it is also often incorporated into the long-term care of patients with Type 2 diabetes. These differences also impact on the progression of the disease. As the body is able to produce more insulin to account for the resistance, Type 2 diabetes does not produce visible symptoms. For a person with the disease, this means that it can remain undetected for a long period of time. Unfortunately, such a scenario also means that a person cannot address the condition at a stage where it could be alleviated by simple lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy diet. Consequently, by the time the condition is identified, such intervention would likely be insufficient and the person would require the introduction of medication such as injections (Curry, 2015). The condition worsens over time as the insulin resistance prompts the beta cells to generate more insulin, leading to their eventual failure. In this case, the injection provides necessary recovery time for the cells and prevents, or, at the very least, delays, their failure. Currently, the effects of treatment are transient, and while evidence exists that the condition is reversible, no reliable method has yet been established (Curry, 2015). Psychological and Social Implications Living with a long-term condition like Type 2 diabetes presents an individual with numerous challenging issues. The psychological and social implications created by the condition need to be acknowledged in order to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and account for any possible gaps in care. The most evident psychological aspect of diabetes care is depression. A systematic review by Roy and Lloyd (2012) revealed t