Diabetes and COVID Vaccine Safety
July 5, 2021
Stress and Blood Sugar Levels
July 21, 2021
Living with any chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment adds a layer of stress that invariably impacts mental health. As diabetes has far-reaching consequences that significantly affect every aspect of life and lower quality of life, diabetes patients are vulnerable to a number of mental health issues. The connection between diabetes and mental health problems has been rigorously investigated and it helps to recognize this problem, so as to deal with it effectively.
Can Diabetes Affect Mental Health?
Aside from the stress of living with diabetes, fluctuations in blood sugar levels can have a direct impact on one’s mood and mental health. This is particularly common during hypoglycemic episodes, when blood sugar levels plummet and fall below 70 mg/dL. Typically, mood chances resolve when blood sugar levels stabilize.
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia induced moods swings include:
Confusion, loss of focus, and impaired coordination, irritability and anger, Hunger, Other personality or behavioural changes
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia induced moods swings include:
Brain fog or difficulty thinking, Feelings of anxiety or nervousness, Fatigue or exhaustion
For many patients chronic stress can develop because of the pressure of having to manage diabetes and constant worry about the risk of complications. Others may also suffer from mental health problems because they feel that their efforts are inadequate.
Type 1 Diabetes And Mental Health
Both types of diabetes pose a risk of mental illness, with studies that show a strong link between type 1 diabetes and mental health issues. The most common problems include diabetes distress, which is a chronic stress disorder associated with diabetes, depression, anxiety disorders, sleeping disorders, and eating disorders.
All of these conditions can be treated effectively, but it’s important to look out for warning signs of mental illness, including mood swings, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Researchers found that the risk of mental health issues like depression is twice as high in type 1 diabetes patients as compared to the general population.
Diagnosing and treating mental health issues is vital as such problems directly affect diabetes management and are linked to early mortality. Complications like diabetic ketoacidosis episodes are far more common in patients who suffer from mental illness.
Type 2 Diabetes And Mental Health
Research shows that there is no significant difference in the prevalence of common mental health illnesses between patients who suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Nearly half of all diabetes patients have been found to suffer from significant psychological distress, but researchers did observe a higher tendency for such mental health issues in type 2 diabetes patients during the pandemic era.
This increased tendency towards mental health issues in type 2 diabetes patients may be due to other risk factors and comorbidities that tend to be prevalent among type 2 diabetes patients. They are generally of older age as compared to type 1 diabetics and have a higher prevalence of obesity.
Coping With Diabetes And Mental Health Problems
The first step to managing mental health issues in diabetes is to regularly monitor and manage blood sugar levels because of the impact of fluctuations in blood sugar on mood and mental health. At the same time, mental health conditions can create a vicious cycle, making it hard to focus adequately on self-care. High levels of stress hormones can also make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
To deal with diabetes and mental health issues in a manner that improves the quality of life, it is best to seek treatment from a skilled professional including psychologists, counsellors, and behavioural therapists. In addition to using therapy or medication to treat diabetes mental health issues, you can also make changes to your lifestyle to include:
Physical activity including walking or swimming can help relax and lower stress levels.
Relaxation techniques like meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can give you greater control over your mood and emotions.
Communicating and socializing with friends or loved ones is also known to help lower stress and anxiety levels.
Make sure to take regular breaks to relax or engage in activities that you enjoy.
Get adequate sleep on a regular basis.
Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine.
Remember, stress and mental health issues can affect all of us, but they pose an even greater risk when you suffer from diabetes. If you find that you cannot cope on your own, don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals and support groups.
