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depression and diabetes

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H

hellbell84

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
does anyone think that their diabetes really affect their mental health? not sure if the two are related but I am on medication and yet I feel really REALLY down. Like everyone is taking a jab at me and that nobody actually likes me. I suffered from anxiety when I had my youngest (now 15 months) but that has subsided and haven't had an episode for a while. my sugars haven't been great, my last HB1AC was 72 but I don't feel right. anybody else suffer with this? is there a link or are they two separate issues I need to deal with?

Thanks in advance
 
Diabetes can send you doolally. Don't make any decisions unless you feel tiptop imho! I hate it when my sister goes diabetic daft, we've had some terrible screaming sessions over the years with her losing it. Didn't realise in the early days that it was diabetes but it was, I'm convinced. Also wouldn't be surprised if it makes people depressed, having a chronic condition would make anybody depressed really. We just have to deal with it, eat as healthy as we can and keep on keeping on. We have to fight the paranoia. It looms large in my family and is quite exhausting to deal with.
 
I definitely believe that. Sometimes I feel utterly sure that I'm not going to be able to cope with this, I can see how it would send you on an utter downward spiral with your mental health because it's a constant battle. I feel like I haven't stopped talking about it for the last month and a half and its taken over my life.
 
Prior to being diagnosed I did have episodes of depression and anxiety. I did have a period of 5 years without an episode. Then when I was diagnosed as type 2 in June 2011 it was delayed shock until Depression sunk in later in the year. It is at the back of my mind. I know it is part of the reason I feel down at times amongst other things
 
There is definitely a known association between living with diabetes and likelihood of developing some mental health conditions, including depression.

Personally I find my mood is strongly affected by high or erratic BG, added to which those erratic levels are quite frustrating in themselves.

I think it would be worth talking to your GP and/or diabetes clinic to see if you can get a referral for some psychological support, ideally with someone who specialises in helping people with diabetes.

In the meantime trying to make small improvements to your BG levels day-to-day will probably help you enormously.
 
It’s not so much the diabetes itself, as the presence of a chronic life time condition. Because there is that complete change of mindset, that pressure can cause psychiatric problems. I’ve got three such conditions, all of which are associated with depression for that reason, and, looking on the associated forums, all think their condition is particularly associated with depression.

And yes, I am taking venlafaxine. Nobody’s perfect.
 
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I found that I had treated my Diabetes as a puzzle for a long time, getting better and better at managing it. Then I hit a wall and became very depressed about it all, feeling under tremendous pressure. I sought help and posted on here the strategies that I worked in with a counsellor and found seuccessful. If I knew how to I would put a link in here (Northerner if you see this are you able to put the link in this thread? ). In the absence of that you can put in the search box, successful strategies in dealing with depression. A snappy title!!
 
Hi everyone

I am certain there is a link. In the last few years I have sunk so low I barely exist, some of it is due to tragic circumstances the other living with several chronic health conditions one of which is diabetes. There will always be people who say its our own fault, get fit lose weight, eat healthy and your diabetes will disappear and your mood will change. I wish life was so simple. I have absolutely and totally lost interest in everything xx
 
Im newly ish diagnosed type 1 ( found out about 5 weeks ago) and i feel like i'm battling against everythung and everyone. Some people try to understand but clearly have no idea. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible whilst being a mum and working and feeling very isolated.
I can see why some people suggest the link between diabetes and mental health. Its totally overwhelming and he enormity of it is something else.
 
Nikki35 said:
Im newly ish diagnosed type 1 ( found out about 5 weeks ago) and i feel like i'm battling against everythung and everyone. Some people try to understand but clearly have no idea. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible whilst being a mum and working and feeling very isolated.
I can see why some people suggest the link between diabetes and mental health. Its totally overwhelming and he enormity of it is something else.
Click to expand...
It is very early days for you Nikki. It really will get easier.
Keep asking questions. We are here to help.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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