Diabetes and Depression

Diabetes and Depression - Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect your life tremendously. Depression affects your thoughts, feelings, moods and the ability to function properly on a daily basis. People with depression experience long periods of feeling sad, hopeless and sometimes even suicidal. Serious depression must be treated immediately by a health care professional.

Several studies suggest that diabetes doubles the risk of depression. The complications that come with diabetes and the challenges of managing the disease on a daily basis can put a lot of stress on the person. They may feel lonely or far from family and friends, and sometimes they may even feel they are loosing control of  their diabetes, and their lives.

Depression in diabetes can also cause diabetes related complications to worsen. The person that is depressed may not have enough energy and desire to keep up with their sugar testing, sugar control and a healthy diet. Depression can seriously affect good diabetes management if not treated properly.

Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression can include:

• Feeling sad, anxious or empty inside
• Feeling hopeless and pessimistic about the future
• Loosing interest in hobbies, interests or pleasures that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Loss of energy, feeling tired all the time
• Having difficulty concentrating as other thoughts or feelings get in the way.
• Having trouble remembering
• Having trouble sleeping.  Not being able to fall asleep, waking up several times during the night or oversleeping.
• Changes in appetite.  Eating too much or not enough, causing weight gain or loss.
• Suicidal thoughts.  

Causes of Depression

Causes of depression in diabetes other than the ones that result from the stress of managing the disease are currently being researched. Depression is a result of abnormal brain function that can be partially accredited to a person’s genetics and their life history. Other trigger factors can include difficult life events, side effects of some medications, alcohol or drug abuse and thyroid problems.

Treating Depression

Depression treatment options should be handled by a healthcare professional and chosen based on the condition and circumstances of the patient. There are two main types of depression treatment:  psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

Depression psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy can help the patient look at the problems that are causing the depression, and find ways to deal with them and overcome the challenges. Depending on the person’s condition, psychotherapy may be a long term or short term treatment.

If antidepressant medication is advised, talk to a psychiatrist about your options and the depression medication that is right for you and your condition. Discuss the side effects associated with it, and how it may affect blood sugar levels. Research shows that usually antidepressant medication and depression psychotherapy both have positive mood and glycemic control effects.

If you think you have depression, don’t wait to get help. Diabetes can put a lot of stress in your daily life that can lead to depression, but remember, you can overcome the challenge. Take control of your diabetes and your life.