Depression and Diabetes - Depression Shown to Be a Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes
“Life is just a bowl of cherries.” Whoever came up with this quote probably never was diagnosed with diabetes or depression. When you have diabetes, life can seem like a bowl of rotten bananas! But, just because you live with diabetes, doesn’t mean you have to live with depression!
What’s the big deal with depression?
Depression is shown to be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes because it’s one of the most common and dangerous complications. Diabetics are at far greater risk for acquiring depression than non-diabetics because diabetics have more stress than non-diabetics. Controlling diabetes requires a large number of physical and mental adaptations:
- Diabetics must learn about a complex system of dietary and medical interventions.
- Diabetics may have to alter their lifestyle, school, and work schedules.
- Diabetics feel like they’re outsiders from the world.
- Diabetics must adjust to a new view of how they live.
What causes depression?
Alcohol or drug abuse
Changes of environment
Side effects from medications
Stress
Thyroid problems
Why is depression a risk factor for my type 2 diabetes?
- The stress from daily diabetes management alone can make you feel set apart from your family and friends.
- Physical complications can make you feel like you’re losing control.
- Tension between you and your doctor can make you feel frustrated and sad.
- Loss of appetite caused from depression will affect blood sugar levels.
- Feeling anxious and not thinking straight will cause irregular food intake causing blood sugar to dramatically and dangerously change.
What are the warning signs of depression?
- Appetite: eating more or less than normal will result in quick weight gain or weight loss.
- Early to rise: waking up earlier than usual and cannot go back to sleep.
- Guilt: you think you can “never do anything right” and think you’re a burden.
- Loss of energy: you’re tired all the time.
- Loss of pleasure: you no longer are interested in doing things you used to enjoy.
- Morning sadness: you feel worse in the morning than you any other time.
- Nervousness: you always feel anxious and can’t sit or stand still.
- Sleep patterns: you have trouble falling asleep or you want to sleep during the day.
- Suicidal thoughts: you feel life would be better without you around.
- Trouble concentrating: you can’t watch TV or read because you’re pre-occupied.
I have diabetes. How do I know if I suffer from depression?
The first step is to ask your doctor for a depression screening immediately. If the screening reveals you do have depression, you can address those concerns with your health professional. Asking for help won’t label you a victim, but rather it will label you a victor.
What are the advantages for treating my depression?
Recent studies show that proper treatment of depression can dramatically improve type 2 diabetes. The advantages for treating your depression will:
1. Improve your physical function.
2. Let you take on life like you own the world.
3. Make you feel happy.