Diabetes and Depression
People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without.
In fact, diabetes and depression share some of the same risk factors:
– Poor diet
– Lack of physical activityObesity
– Hypertension
– Family history
Around 10% to 15% of all people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes also experience depression.
Other risk factors of depression include:
– Major life changes
– Trauma or extreme stress
– Chronic illness and some medications
– Coronary artery disease
Depression affects all levels of self-care. When you’re depressed, your diet, exercise and lifestyle choices are negatively impacted leading to poor blood sugar control and further inflammation.
Depression is more than just feeling sad.
There is absolutely a stigma surrounding mental illness like depression. People with depression are often told to simply put on a smile or shake it off and somehow their illness will magically disappear.
70% of the people with diabetes who have depression are not diagnosed or being treated.
Signs you might be depressed:
You no longer find pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
You’re not hungry or are overeating.
You can’t sleep or are sleeping too much.
You can’t concentrate.
You’re feeling anxious, irritable or hopeless.
You feel extremely tired.
You have aches, pains, or digestive problems.
You’ve thought about or are harming yourself.
You’re having thoughts of suicide.
Without treatment, depression often gets worse, not better.
If sadness isn’t a temporary feeling and is lasting days or weeks, seek help. A doctor can help you determine if depression is what’s causing your symptoms and if you’re diagnosed, they’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment for depression can include lifestyle changes, therapy and medication. Trust your physician, be flexible and know that you are not alone.
Want to talk to a mental health specialist?
Call: 702-9310
