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Diabetes and Depression/Low Mood

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Miss_Doodle

Miss_Doodle

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi

I've suffered from depression and low mood in the past, but does anyone find that their blood sugars have an effect on their mood?

I'm find that as my BG drops I feel more and more fed up :( I'm sure it's probably my body re-ajusting to being 'normal' but it's starting to get me down, I know that adjusting to diabetes isn't easy and isn't helping how I feel.

I was just wondering if this is a common thing.

Thanks

Miss D
 
Yes, it happened to me too. It should ease as your body gets used to the lower sugar levels, but I can't say how long it will take as we all differ.
 
I find it works a bit both ways, if blood sugars low/high makes me feel bit blue, but when feeling a bit blue my sugars can go out the window a little. I also find after a long period of numbers in the teens and you go back to normal numbers I feel like I am having a mild hypo most of the time till I get used to it.
 
I can't remember the reference, but I do remember a quote from some book or other that no - one knows why, or can prove a connection, but about 85% of people with diabetes also have depression. I did, and after I was diagnosed with quite marked diabetes symptoms I spent 6 weeks in a psychiatric ward to be treated for both the physical side of diabetes and depression
Interestingly, my wife had described me as ' inclined to be melancholy' for months before diagnosis, but looking back I realise I had the symptoms for months if not years before it was confirmed

I don't think your day to day sugar levels matter that much, the fact that you have diabetes is enough. Sorting your medication several times a day is tedious enough, but look on the bright side; if it wasn't for that you'd be blind, so stop feeling sorry for yourself

So I think the answer is to clear your mind and apply yourself to sorting the problem. You've got a second chance!
I consider myself to be fairly intelligent and capable, with some decent qualifications, and hobbies that include backpacking, model making, woodcarving; and a good family.
But there are times...oh dear, there are times...

Then I play a sort of mental trick on myself; I sort of detach myself and tell myself what to do, as if I was telling someone else, just like following instructions.

And if that doesn't work I have my friends round; Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker...
 
I think it's a bit like a Venn diagram, isn't it? Maybe blood sugar highs and lows can make us feel down. Certainly for me the fact of being diabetic makes me feel down - and on diagnosis you (well, I) got the appointment with the dietician and the podiatrist and even the candlestick maker but no one ever stops to ask how you feel.

The only way out in my view is to take control of the diabetes rather than it controlling you.
 
Hi Miss Doodle,

I have had a long-running relationship with depression throughout my 18 years of being a diabetic. I truly believe it can be a really negative cycle: high blood sugars (for me) lead to low mood which, over time, leads to despondence about my diabetes and the feeling that I am going to suffer from complications no matter what. This, of course, raises my levels because I get so down that I try to forget it.

But, support from healthcare professionals and friends and family, and taking better care of myself help. The best thing I ever did was break down on my doctor at my diabetes clinic a few years ago... This led to a series of appointments with a counsellor who belonged to the diabetes unit. I'm not sure if every hospital has one, but they really, really should!

It's hard not to let it take over I find! And yes, I've read a number of time that people with diabetes are significantly more likely to suffer from depression - how much more likely seems to depend on the study you read!
 
Naty says that no-one ever asks you how you feel. Well, today someone did. The nurse was taking blood for the first repeat blood test since my diagnosis two months ago. "That must have come as a huge shock," she said. "How did you feel?" Then the phone rang. She answered the call, spoke to the person on the other end, then looked up at me and said, "OK. Thanks for coming." I left the surgery feeling less than cared-for!
 
Catsmother said:
Naty says that no-one ever asks you how you feel. Well, today someone did. The nurse was taking blood for the first repeat blood test since my diagnosis two months ago. "That must have come as a huge shock," she said. "How did you feel?" Then the phone rang. She answered the call, spoke to the person on the other end, then looked up at me and said, "OK. Thanks for coming." I left the surgery feeling less than cared-for!
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe it's one of the questions they are supposed to ask you at your review, and possibly other diabetes-related appointments. One would also hope that they would listen to the answer and respond! 😱

Depression, or feeling down, is often associated with chronic conditions like diabetes due to the fact that you are reminded of the fact you have it every day, sometimes in horrible ways. Medication is helpful for some people, as is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

I tend to feel down more when my levels aren't behaving themselves, more when they are high than low. Your blood sugar levels are one part of a very complex system and your brain is geared up to expect them to be within a very tight range - which they would be if you weren't diabetic. Upsetting that balance will cause responses from other parts of your system in trying to correct things, which unfortunately manifest themselves in ways we would prefer them not to.
 
Thanks,

I have to admit I have been thinking about booking an appointment with my Dr (I'll probably have to wait at least a month! 😱) having a less than useful appointment with the DN at my local surgery hasn't helped with how I feel either and my Dr is lovely... but then I wonder if that will even help.

But then as this is my health and I am not just some NHS number I guess they should listen to what I have to say and how I am feeling.

And I agree completely with Naty
'Certainly for me the fact of being diabetic makes me feel down - and on diagnosis you (well, I) got the appointment with the dietician and the podiatrist and even the candlestick maker but no one ever stops to ask how you feel.'

This is exactly how I feel, I have moments of being really high and positive and determind to beat this, and then other (which seem to be getting more frequent) where I just don't know what to do and feel completely lost. I've been for CBT in the past and found it helpful, I even managed a good chat with Mum about it last night, she's worried that I'm trying to much all at once. That I haven't dealt with the diagnoses in my own head before trying to fix it.

I'm sure I'll get there in the end, I just wish I wouldn't get so down about it in between!
 
Ok.... apparently I can't make and appointment to see my own Dr as he's about to go on paternity leave.... which is fine (I get that), but why oh why can't the book in me at some point in the next month or is he taking forever off!!!

😡😡
 
Miss_Doodle said:
Ok.... apparently I can't make and appointment to see my own Dr as he's about to go on paternity leave.... which is fine (I get that), but why oh why can't the book in me at some point in the next month or is he taking forever off!!!

😡😡
Click to expand...

Not helpful :( Is there another Dr. you don't mind seeing? Sometimes locums can be quite good, I've seen a couple who have actually helped more than the GP I was normally seeing at the time 🙂
 
I don't know the receptionist was less than helpful, feeling very let down by my GP surgey at the moment.

Useless DN appointment and now not able to see my own Dr until goodness knows when :( I could cry, but I'm not going to... no point
 
I'd say call them back Miss_D and ask for an appointment with the Locum or one of the other doctors. You clearly need some support and sticking to your guns over the appointment is the only way to get it. Don't leave it for another month.
 
AlisonM said:
I'd say call them back Miss_D and ask for an appointment with the Locum or one of the other doctors. You clearly need some support and sticking to your guns over the appointment is the only way to get it. Don't leave it for another month.
Click to expand...

Thanks 🙂

I called the practice manager, after today and my appointment with the DN I'd had enough. She was horrified, especially as my Dr hasn't actually gone on paternity leave yet 😱 so the out come:

She's going to have a meeting with the Diabetes lead about my appointment with the nurse and the she wants them both to sit down with the nurse and explain how important these appointments are and that she should have known better. She may get the diabetes lead to call me for a chat as well.

She's also going to have a word with the receptionists about booking appointments and to suggest another Dr.

And she's calling me back tomorrow about an appointment with MY Dr which may be tomorrow or early next week depending.

So hopefully it'll be a bit better from now on, I hate complaining and actually cried at her 😱 but at least it sounds as though something will be done about it.

thanks for letting me rant.
 
Good stuff - well done for sticking to your guns and getting something sorted 🙂
 
Yes, well done and I really hope this means an improvement in the level of support and treatment at your surgery.
 
I hope so, at the moment it feels like it can't get any worse!

Luckily I have you guys :D
 
i am a DD aswell it does seem to be quite common ...
this place is so good as you don't feel so alone ....
my appointment with DSN today went on for nearly 1hr today ...and one thing we do is have a good ole chat about al sorts of aspects of Diabetes she is very supportive ...but im lucky
big hugs
 
I started keeping a diary this year for the first time since the 1980s. It never asks me if I'm 'allowed' to eat anything... I think it definitely helps. Along with this place 🙂
 
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