Diabetes and Depression

[Grannylorraine]

"there are a million and one far more deadly conditions out there"
Yes and depression is one of them
I think if you start a post with "I'm going to apologise in advance", maybe you should think twice about posting.

You could say what your experience is and that you don't find it difficult to manage but unfortunately your post just comes across as very judgemental and with no understanding of the debilitating impact depression can have.

Well said Hardy, I wanted to say this, about depression being one of them, plus I also live with impared kidney function, liver disease, trigeminal neuralgia and asthma, so for me managing my diabetes is part of a much bigger picture. My DN understands that sometimes my mental health is the most important thing for me to manage.

 

[Leadinglights]

The whole issue of depression and anxiety is a lot more complicated than a lot of people realise and it's not so easy for some people to 'just snap' out of it. The reasons are so varied and the symptoms manifest themselves in so many different ways, but a diabetes diagnosis must feel like the last straw for many people and they neither have the motivation or ability to engage with making changes which would actually make them feel better.
People have to live in a real world where family pressures make it almost impossible to take the steps needed.
What has struck me is that foods suitable i.e. low carb can be more expensive than mass produced, cheap, high carb, filling, sugary foods which is all some people can afford.
The meals that people, myself included, suggest here are by and large on the more expensive side so would be beyond the budget of some people.
Which brings me back to when depression sets in, the ability to even think about making economical meals is beyond them.

 

[rebrascora]

I find that exercise is such an important aspect of mental health as well as diabetes management, but when depression strikes it is incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to do anything. I have just spent 4 days failing to leave the house during daylight for fear of bumping into someone and having to make conversation or even just being seen. I couldn't psych myself up to get in the shower even though I needed too (Holding nose emoji) and knew it would make me feel better.... basic functions become really hard work. Thankfully I am able to continue to manage my diabetes mostly because I just eat low carb foods like cheese with rather too much wine or port 😱 so I don't have to think about cooking or calculating boluses and then I just stick a correction in later when my levels start rising.
Yesterday I managed to drag myself into the shower and then last night I psyched myself up to go for a midnight walk/yomp which I really enjoyed once I got going and today I feel so much better and I have been out for another 7 miles this morning and there is a huge change in my whole mental outlook as a result.
I am also an "all or nothing" person and find moderation difficult. Having suffered these episodes for many years I know they will be over in a few days and I just keep my head down to weather the storm and wait for life to become easier. I appreciate that being retired means I can do this and many people are less fortunate. I think the lesson I am learning is that if I can just try to ignore all the other pressures and put all my effort into just one thing which will make the biggest impact in turning things around, it is exercise. Walking in particular, although I am sure cycling, running and swimming are equally beneficial, but walking is the simplest for me and it needs to be as simple as possible when my mind is in that state to even attempt it.

 

[Sunshine time]

Hi shan86
I'm so sorry to hear that you suffer from depression aswell as diabetes.

Depression is a very up and down health issue as is diabetes, which I can imagine trying to juggle the two can be slightly ( feels like ) impossible at times. It's so good that you are seeking support from here and your mental health team

I'm new to receiving my diagnosis for diabetes but have suffered with depression in the past, so totally and utterly understand how you feel. A massive juggling act! I'm tired ALREADY ( and it's only been a couple of weeks since my diagnosis ) tired of trying to think "what carbs are in which foods" "oh, I can't have that food as it's high in fats and carbs" ect.... So, adding mental health issues alongside that... My goodness, I am exhausted just thinking of that!

I can honestly say, by reading the above replies, you are not alone... Everyone is different and will cope differently to each coping mechanisms. But try and take each day as it comes and treat yourself ( even if it's not food orientated ) when you can ( just for surviving day by day and getting through tough times )

I wish you well and take care of yourself

 

[NotWorriedAtAll]

I have always struggled with anxiety and depression. I've been super lucky because I did get fairly obsessed with changing my diet but I enjoy being obsessed and I like cooking and the science behind it all and so I love 'beating' diabetes by making keto versions of the foods I loved before so I enjoy the diabetes/keto food more than the stuff I had before.

It does take loads of time and there are days when I just don't have the resilience to cook up a storm or even eat sensibly. For days like that I plan ahead with stuff I can eat without any effort and treats that mean my food doesn't make me feel worse. Again I am lucky to be in a situation where I am able to do that. I do our shopping and I keep rigid control of what is in the house and the high carb food in the house is stuff I don't like or stuff I have preferred alternatives. It is much harder if you do not have control of the kitchen and food shopping or if you live with people who eat things that are bad for you and tempt you. Yesterday one of my meals was three spoons full of almond butter and a small pot of Greek yoghurt mixed with some sweetener and chocolate powder. I ate the almond butter straight out of the jar.

Today one of my meals was a keto nut bar and a big glass of mineral water.

Lunch was five slices of emmental with water cress and mayonnaise. More water.

I'm hoping I will have the energy to make something sensible for my evening meal but if I can't then I will probably have almond butter and yoghurt again.
Luckily I like the things I am eating. Other people might think they are weird but I am ok with it.

I think if you can find a way to have things you like even if they are not what people would see as 'proper' food/meals then you can feel more as if you are in control and it won't do you as much harm as going totally haywire.

I hope this makes sense. Being depressed and anxious is for me like wading through deep clingy mud and it makes everything so much harder. I tend to just give up on days like that and just watch sci-fi or K-drama on Netflix. I get days and days on end like that. But I have my trusty Greek yoghurt and almond butter (oh I also like Greek yoghurt mixed with granules of instant decaff/coffee and sweetener and a drop or two of vanilla extract - I just mix it in the yoghurt pot and then eat it with the teaspoon I scooped the coffee out with) and cups of tea or decaff coffee (with zero carb almond milk) and cheapo walnuts from Tesco when they are on offer.

 

[Grannylorraine]

I find that exercise is such an important aspect of mental health as well as diabetes management, but when depression strikes it is incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to do anything. I have just spent 4 days failing to leave the house during daylight for fear of bumping into someone and having to make conversation or even just being seen. I couldn't psych myself up to get in the shower even though I needed too (Holding nose emoji) and knew it would make me feel better.... basic functions become really hard work. Thankfully I am able to continue to manage my diabetes mostly because I just eat low carb foods like cheese with rather too much wine or port 😱 so I don't have to think about cooking or calculating boluses and then I just stick a correction in later when my levels start rising.
Yesterday I managed to drag myself into the shower and then last night I psyched myself up to go for a midnight walk/yomp which I really enjoyed once I got going and today I feel so much better and I have been out for another 7 miles this morning and there is a huge change in my whole mental outlook as a result.
I am also an "all or nothing" person and find moderation difficult. Having suffered these episodes for many years I know they will be over in a few days and I just keep my head down to weather the storm and wait for life to become easier. I appreciate that being retired means I can do this and many people are less fortunate. I think the lesson I am learning is that if I can just try to ignore all the other pressures and put all my effort into just one thing which will make the biggest impact in turning things around, it is exercise. Walking in particular, although I am sure cycling, running and swimming are equally beneficial, but walking is the simplest for me and it needs to be as simple as possible when my mind is in that state to even attempt it.

I agree regarding the exercise, running and yoga help me so much. But for some people the though of exercise, is maybe too much. I didn't run at all during lockdown because depression got the better of me.

@Shan86 - I hope you are feeling less alone now and thank you for starting this thread to give us all a place to share our experiences and feelings.

@

 

[Maca44]

I think this thread has been helpful for many of us who suffer or don't with our mental health.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Shan86 and thank you for sharing your experience.

Like many others above I have experienced depression. I have found that Diabetes is hard work with the many decisions that we have to make throughout the day, and then when you think you have got things sorted something changes. I took a long time to ask for help, and was pleased when I eventually did.

I am pleased that you already have a support team around you, and that you have been open with them about how you feel. The see saw that you describe of managing effectively and then getting fed up with all that you have to do is so familiar. One thing that I found helpful was to commit to one thing such as dealing with breakfast with a test and consistent carb count (same breakfast each day) reduced the amount I needed to think about and got me through the morning.

One manageable step at a time.

 

[Totalwar]

Depression no joke nore is suicide which severe depression can bring and 1000s die from each year.

 

[Jacqs96]

I am a parent of someone who has lived with T1D since 18 months old and at 25 years old I can tell you that living with the condition day to day can be overwhelming for him at times. He has reached out to Drs/DCNs over last 5 years and his depression has quite literally been ignored by the majority. He has a DR totally on his side at this time but the 2 DSNs attached to the hospital have totally written him off - back to DR tomorrow after latest conversation with a DSN today, I dread to think what he would be like if he did not have me to support him.
My advice to anyone who is not getting the help 're mental/ physical concerns is to keep dialling that tel no for help and do not ever give up, you are worth it, and " they" are paid to help you.

 

[rebrascora]

I wonder if your son could connect with a new member of the forum @Lewis Mushin who went through a tough time when he was younger and is now using medidation to help himself and others.

 

[Jacqs96]

I wonder if your son could connect with a new member of the forum @Lewis Mushin who went through a tough time when he was younger and is now using medidation to help himself and others.

I will put that too him, he is a very private person and it took him a few years to finally open up to us. Thank you

 

[Lewis Mushin]

Hi all, depression isnt something to mess around with from my personal experience and working with others. I personally try to stay away from medication where ever I can and try and get the things I need form my diet, but depression is it own monster and can be caused by so many different things thats why its so hard to get right, it can be neurological, diet based, lack of drive, lack of creativity to name a few, but you do have to try stay positive when surrounded by the chaos.

I learned that my depression was neurological, as my life fell apart with the scare of going blind everything around me was just negative, I even turned going to costa into a negative experience. But after embracing meditation it allowed me to rest my perspective, meditation isnt a one time sit down for 10 minuets and im cured. Its a skill that you have to invest your time into just like going to the gym, the more you work out the stronger you become, the more you meditate the easer it gets to live with these negative thoughts.

you only need to meditate for 20 minutes a day to being to start feeling the befits of the practice, but I chose to go with an approach that wasnt medical as I didnt want to take anymore tablets. I wouldn't rule it out especially if 20 minutes a day helps you change your life around and enjoy it more I would defiantly try it for about 6 weeks and see how you feel after.

Meditation has been proven to help you sleep better, so if there's one reason to meditate go with that!
@Jacqs96 @Shan86