Depression & Diabetes

[simonrudd]

Hi,

i was just wondering if anyone had any experience with depression? as people may know i have had a lot of problems with my daughter and i sometimes get very low. I've got an appointment with the DN next Friday i was wondering if i should talk to her about anti-depressants? or should i make an appointment to see a Dr??

Thanks

 

[shiv]

Hi Simon, sorry to hear you're feeling down. Yes, there is often talk of depression being more common in people with diabetes. Have a word with your DSN, and talking to your GP is a good idea - there might be ideas they can suggest to help 🙂

 

[Twitchy]

Hi Simon,

This is just my personal opinion but I strongly suspect there is a link... I know that when my blood sugar levels are helter-skelter my mood plummets, the world seems a very dark place & it seems everyone is out to get me (doesn't help that some days they all seem to conspire to support that theory lol! 🙄). I also think that it doesn't help that we as diabetics by necessity are so aware of our mortality & physical weakness (ie dependent on medication, possible complications etc) - not always a cheerful thought, and it's not always easy to put a positive spin on your thoughts when feeling down.

It's definitely worth mentioning to the DSN but if you're feeling like you're struggling then do go to the doc before that (I think only the doc would be able to prescribe counseling or meds if necessary anyway, but I might be wrong??). I have had to have medication for depression twice to date - once for pnd post baby number one (maybe coincidence but rubbish BGs btw as the hormones settled!) and again recently for anxiety related depression associated with my eye problems. The thing to remember is that depression is not a personal reflection on you or your character - depression is surprisingly common & one little fact that helps me feel less down on myself is that even some like Winston Churchill had depression - he called it his 'black dog'.

Anyway, sending a big (((hug))) and hope the above helps somehow... I know it's not easy and I think you are very sensible to ask for help.

All the best,

Twitchy x

 

[AlisonM]

I have had real problems with depression for a good many years. For many reasons, such as being ill, and in the early days after Dx, being out of work as well. I was on anti-depressants for a short while, but the thing that really helped me was getting to talk to a CPN and finding a new job. The CPN helped me find ways to deal with the issues I had to face and the new job gave me a much better sense of self-worth. Getting out and about and volunteering was also a great help. The hardest thing is driving yourself to get out of bed and do something, anything even if you just go for a walk every day. There were days when I hardly moved out of bed, I felt so bad, so miserable. I still get down, moswtly because this blasted condition won't behave itself at all, but now I feel stronger and having much better coping mechanisms (one of them is to come in here and have a good whinge).

You should definitely talk to both your DSN and your doctor about how you feel. If they can't/won't refer you to a CPN for counselling, ask if there are any voluntary counselling organisations in your area. The one I now work for provides counselling for all sorts of folk and it's free to the clients, it would certainly be worth investigating.

 

[Copepod]

Sorry about your problems.
You're best speaking with a GP about possible depression - most nurses can only prescribe from a limited list of medications, depending on their experience, and usually can't refer to counsellors etc. Could you get an appointment on before / after DN appointment to save travel time?

 

[gail2]

yes there is a link and theres research to prove it. you need to see your gp by all means mention it to your nurse but she cant precrible. i myslef suffer from deprssion as well. take good care of yourself.

 

[MeanMom]

My daughter went through a very tough time not long before Christmas and the councellor at the D clinic was wonderfull - I even phoned her once (when K was at school) for a chat as I didnt know how to deal with a certain issue between K and the school. We were very resistant to the idea of councelling but I am so glad K had access to this and continues to do so. Hope you can get some help (and this forum is a great help too)

And parents/carerers get depressed too...

 

[Caroline]

And parents/carerers get depressed too...

Parents and carers need our support as much as we need yours. My family does a great job most of the time, but they also need a brek from my diabetes too. The support is appreciated.

 

[simonrudd]

Thanks for all the replies 🙂 we've (as a family) had quite a lot of counselling because we have had a lot of problems with our daughter. i'm not sure if AD's would be the solution, but i wonder if it could help me cope with her as well as the Diabetes issues. what i worry about it going on them - everything brightens up - then the course ends.