Diabetes has become a very common illness in the modern day and can affect you in different ways. In 1980, there were just over 100 million people with diabetes.
Updated statistics in 2014 revealed that more than 420 million people now live with diabetes. There are several complications that diabetes can cause.
Apart from nerve damage, vision problems, and related effects, the condition can also take a toll on your mental health. We discuss how diabetes can affect your mental health in this post, along with some helpful tips to ensure you are able to reduce your risks or manage existing complications.
Diabetes Contributes To Stress
It is well-known that a diagnosis of a chronic disease causes stress and concern for a person. When you find out you have diabetes, there are numerous lifestyle changes that you will have to implement into your life. This can already make things stressful, along with the worries of developing adverse effects associated with diabetes.
Many people find it difficult to cope with this newfound stress in their lives. Eventually, the stress can cause feelings of depression and even lead to the development of anxiety disorders.
The relationship becomes quite complicated. Stress has been linked to a rise in cortisol levels, which can affect sugar metabolism and even cause problems with how your body releases and uses insulin. Thus, it becomes a vicious cycle. Diabetes makes you feel stressed, and now the stress causes further problems with your diabetic condition.
Recognizing The Signs Of Mental Health Disorders
Since diabetes can affect your mental health, it is important to ensure you understand the symptoms associated with these conditions and complications. When you are able to recognize mental health problems early on, it is generally easier to treat them. This can also help to ensure the condition does not become severe and interfere with your ability to effectively manage diabetes.
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects an estimated 5% of worldwide adults. The condition can also be found in adolescents and children but is most commonly diagnosed in adulthood.
Depression is classified as a type of mood disorder. It generally makes you lose interest in the things you usually enjoy doing. The condition also often leads to consistent sadness and a low mood. These, however, are only some symptoms that can indicate depression.
If you have diabetes and find that the condition leads to a lot of stress, then make sure you look for the following signs of depression too:
- Apart from sadness, you may also feel hopeless
- Some people describe feeling an emptiness inside them
- Some people sleep more than usual, while others rather struggle to sleep
- Your appetite may change
- If you crave food more often, you may see an increase in your weight
- Constantly blaming yourself for failures of your past
- Memory problems, as well as difficulty concentrating and thinking properly
- Irritability and regularly feeling frustrated
- Headaches, back pain, and other physiological symptoms that have no obvious explanation
In severe cases, people with depression may have regular thoughts related to self-harm and suicide. Even when these thoughts are suppressed, they can still further contribute to depressive feelings and sometimes also lead to taking action.
Apart from depression, it is also possible to experience anxiety when you have diabetes. In some cases, anxiety and depression may accompany each other. Anxiety can make you feel tense and nervous, as well as affect you physically. The physical symptoms may include:
- Increase in perspiration
- A trembling feeling
- A fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Sleeping problems
- Poor concentration
Treating Mental Health Complications As Part Of Diabetes Management
The risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns is generally elevated for people with a chronic disease, such as diabetes. Whether type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is important to understand that highly effective treatment options exist for these mental health conditions. There are also certain lifestyle changes that can help. Essentially, combining a mental health treatment program with diabetes management can lead to more successful results.
When you see that your blood sugar levels remain stable, then you will generally feel better. While the idea of diabetes may still put fear in your mind, stabilized blood sugar levels can effectively reduce your risk of complications. This can already put your mind at ease and help to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
With this said, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor if you develop symptoms of mental health disorders after being diagnosed with diabetes. Your doctor may advise you to use medications known as antidepressants, which focus on altering the chemical balances in your brain. There are different treatments available, so you’ll need to speak with your provider to determine what would work best for you.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, are particularly common among people with depression. These antidepressants can often also help to lessen the effects of anxiety on your daily life. If these antidepressants do not seem to work for you, then you may be provided with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, atypical antidepressants, or tricyclic antidepressants.
There are certain lifestyle tips that you can use to further improve the management of depression and anxiety. Some of these include:
- Learning how to say no and to set boundaries for yourself.
- Prioritizing yourself and making sure your self-care is a focus in your life.
- Regularly exercising, at least three days every week.
- Slow down on the use of substances and alcohol.
Certain supplements may also be useful, but these often only work in cases where you currently have a deficiency in certain nutrients that the body relies on.
Conclusion
Your mental health plays an important part in your everyday life. It can also contribute to how well you are able to manage chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. Unfortunately, the connection is complex, as having diabetes or another chronic illness may result in depression, anxiety, and poor overall mental health. There are methods you can use to improve mental health, while also taking better care of your diabetes.