Is There a Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes and Depression?
Research has shown people who have stress and psychological strain, or suffer any mental condition with depression as a symptom, have high blood sugar levels as a result of the way different hormones respond to stress. Therefore, a person who suffers with depression has a high possibility of developing type 2 diabetes.
Although for years it was thought depression was a complication of type 2 diabetes, studies are now showing stress and depression are also a cause.
A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) conducted by Dr. Sherita Hill Golden in 2008, on the association between depressive symptoms and type 2 diabetes, revealed:
* there is a modest relationship between depressive symptoms and type 2 diabetes
* there was no link with depression and untreated high blood sugar levels and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
* with treated type 2 diabetes, there was definitely a positive association
Changes in your blood sugar levels can affect your mood, feelings and energy level… especially if sugar levels are not really well controlled. This imbalance of energy or fuel, may cause some minor negative feelings to worsen and then contribute to your moodiness or fatigue.
Symptoms of depression include:
* feeling tired usually all the time
* sleeping more or less than usual
* appetite changes where you eat more or less than usual
* feeling sad and helpless
* negative feelings about yourself and your future
* having difficult remembering or concentrating
* moodiness or irritability
The relationship of type 2 diabetes and depression can be due to difficulties in managing diabetes. Other thoughts are that diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes that destroys your nerve fibers, worsens the state of depression. So does this mean if you have diabetes you are more likely to suffer from depression. Yes, it does!
Research shows:
* you may have a bad reaction to your diagnosis… the news can hit hard when dealing with a diagnosis of a lifelong condition
* the thought of maintaining good health may be too big a challenge
* ongoing medical care requires a disruption to your schedule and also affects your financial status
From time to time in everyone’s life, there are times when we all feel down and out. Thankfully, these occasions are few and far between for most people. Depression is when negative feelings and mood start to influence or really interfere with issues in your every day life. If you find any of the above symptoms relate to you, this is the time to talk with your health care practitioner. Seek out assistance early and so recover quickly… the good news is depression is treatable.
Achieving good blood sugar control, being active, getting plenty of rest and not worrying about one-time high blood sugar readings will help you reach and hold onto a positive attitude when dealing with type 2 diabetes.
To download a free copy of my E-Book, click here now: Answers to Your Questions. It’s based on questions diabetics have asked me over recent months.
Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your type 2 diabetes.
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