Depression can affect any individual regardless of age, gender, race, or religion. It has also been found that diabetics have a greater risk of depression. Some research has even claimed that the risk of depression is doubled in diabetics compared to those without. The risk increases when there are diabetic complications. Depression can lead to poor physical and mental health, resulting in less compliance to medication and healthy lifestyle habits which in turn may trigger even more diabetes complications.
Although the underlying mechanism of how depression and diabetes are linked is still unclear, depression is suspected to be a result of stress or the effects of diabetes on the brain. There is also evidence that diabetics with a history of depression have a higher risk of developing complications of diabetes compared to people who are not suffering from it.
With the increasing advancement in technology and medical sciences, depression is still often undiagnosed and untreated. These individuals along with their family, friends, and physician may not notice the symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of depression
- Anhedonia – this term means that patients are no longer interested or happy with the things that they once enjoyed.
- Sleeping patterns – there may be a change in sleeping patterns, either having trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, having trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep and others.
- Appetite change – Patients can either eat more for comfort or refuse to eat at all, leading to quick weight loss or gain.
- Focus – there may be trouble concentrating on one particular task.
- Fatigue – constantly feeling tired or lethargic.
- Feelings – patients may report feeling nervous, guilty, sad or even having suicidal thoughts.
How diabetes and depression are related
- Some patients may find that the management and treatment of diabetes can be overwhelming, leading to depression.
- Diabetes may cause inconveniences to work, daily routines, complications and health problems that may worsen pre-existing depression.
- Depression can cause poor decisions such as decreased compliance to medication and lifestyle decisions, increasing the complications of diabetes.
- Depression affects daily life; in all ways from work, communication, relationship or just even thinking clearly. These stressful events lead to poor glucose control.
Both diabetes and depression are very common disorders. If you have symptoms of depression or are feeling overwhelmed with the diagnosis or management of your diabetes, do not hesitate to inform your doctor. There are many patients who have both depression and diabetes, and this can be solved with self-management programs, psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and holistic care.
Remember: There is no need to suffer in silence.
[expand title=”References“]
Castro MR. What’s the connection between diabetes and depression? How can I cope if I have both? Mayo Clinic. Accessed 2/28/2017.
Depression. American Diabetes Association. Accessed 2/28/2017.
Diabetes and Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. PsychCentral. Accessed 2/28/2017.
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