Is Diabetes A Reason For Your Depression?

It can become hard living with diabetes, taking medicines regularly, following a strict diet, adapting to a certain lifestyle. All of this can lead to disturbed mental health. As reported by the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes is one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century. According to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, diabetes is a mood disorder that reunites several symptoms that alter the functionality of an individual.

The rate of depression could be up to three times higher in patients with type 1 diabetes and twice as high in people with type 2 diabetes compared with the general population worldwide. Anxiety appears in 40% of the patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Depression

Depression is more than having a bad mood. It is a medical illness that causes feelings such as sadness, loss of interest, and anxiety. Depression is a common yet serious medical disease with a lifetime prevalence ranging from approximately 11% in low-income countries to 15% in high-income countries.

Symptoms Of Depression

• Feeling sad or empty
• Loss of interest in favourite activities
• Overeating or not eating at all
• Not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
• Having trouble concentrating
• Feeling very tired
• Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or guilty
• Headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
• Suicidal thoughts

Relationship Between Diabetes And Depression

Depression when associated with diabetes becomes a fatal combination. The combination can make it difficult to manage diabetes effectively. Depressed people are more likely to skip medications, get no exercise, have an unhealthy diet, and have difficulty managing their weight.

Depression can also lead to poor lifestyle decisions such as smoking and weight gain, which are high-risk factors for diabetes. It can also affect one’s ability to perform tasks, communicate, and think clearly. All of this can interfere with managing diabetes. Diabetes with depression can further lead to:

• Poor blood glucose control
• Increased risk of diabetes complications
• Decreased life span

Why Is Depression Common Among People With Diabetes?

Science explains that major factors which can lead to depression are in your genes. Some other contributing factors include the amount of stress in your life, and how you think about yourself & your future.

The reason why patients with diabetes are more prone to depression can be explained in two major points:

Psychological influence

Managing diabetes is not a trivial task. It requires attention and effort which can take a toll on one’s mental health. The constant effort to watch what you eat as well as the daily work of monitoring blood sugars and taking medications correctly can be extremely stressful, and all of this can give rise to depression.

Biological influence

Medications like beta-blockers and other diseases like hypothyroidism can sometimes cause symptoms of depression or make it worse. Chronic pain such as pain due to neuropathy as well as sleep problems can also contribute to depression.

Managing Diabetes With Depression

Managing diabetes, the process can be overwhelming, but by following few guidelines one can step out of the depressive state of mind to a more confident space.

Enrol in self-management programs, like cognitive-behavioural therapy or psychotherapy

Consult a professional who may prescribe or suggest antidepressants or other medications

Exercise and follow a healthy sleep regime

Collaborative care is a systematic approach to treat depression and anxiety.

Deal with negative emotions through journaling or any other hobby

A Word Of Advice

Depression is like a black hole. It can take the joy out of life, drain your energy and motivation, and cause you to feel hopeless and worthless. Diabetes is a challenging disease and requires a lot of sacrifices, so it is important to be in the right state of mind. Taking few steps towards a better way of living, with acceptance can bring a drastic change in one’s mental health.

Reference Links:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14891-diabetes-stress–depression
2. https://behavioraldiabetes.org/xwp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/BDIDepressionBookletFINAL.pdf
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/diabetes-and-depression/faq-20057904#:~:text=Diabetes%20can%20cause%20complications%20and,are%20risk%20factors%20for%20diabetes
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863499/#R6
5. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/mental-health.html
6. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-JivBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT15&ots=cfPM67JHsd&sig=IAlqfMJ6c8xe3lbEC9V9kIn6l-U&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false