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Just had a phone call from nurse at surgrry

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Sheilagh1958

Sheilagh1958

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Just had a phone call from nurse at surgery

Hello

Just had a phone call from nurse at surgery asking me if I am suffering with depression. Ringing all people with a chronic illness to make sure we are not suffering with depression in silence. Told them I was fine only problem is I now feel depressed that I am expected to feel depressed..........am I know wondering if I am not treating this disease as serious as I should.

I have increase my exercise since being diagnosed and am trying to loose a couple of stone maybe not as much progress as I would like on that score. I'm not on any medication at the moment.I don't check my levels daily but when I do they are usually around 6 to 7 and before dinner in the evening before my meal around 5-6.
 
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That is a strange question to ask, some folk might not know they are depressed..........:confused:
 
Depression seems to be a recurring theme with diabetics, I don't know about other illnesses. I was diagnosed as bi-polar some 16 years ago, 5 years before the D diagnosis. I do struggle sometimes, but I don't think it's due to diabetes.
Learning different coping mechanisms is important, and I think being able to cope with adversity prior to the D diagnosis has helped a lot since.
I think the first thing to realise is that your diabetes isn't going to disappear.
A lot more should be done to help people cope following a diagnosis.
My brother was diagnosed with diabetes at 18 months of age, and at no time did my mum, dad or indeed, my brother, have their mental wellbeing assessed. My mum was shown how to stick a needle in an orange, and then sent on her way with no support whatsoever. Thankfully, times have moved on, but still not enough.
Kelly.
 
It appears to be expected. When I told them I was, even the bariatric surgeon seem to expect it. It amazes me sometimes.
I was diagnosed 10 years ago with depression, and just last year, diabetes. I have wondered if there is a link or connection.
It spurs me on to learn more coping skills via the complimentary therapy route.
 
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It's a good question Rustee, a lot of us seem to struggle with bouts of depression at times. I know I've struggled with it all my life. I wonder what the connection is.
 
It certainly is food for thought. When I first came unto the forum, I was surprised to find that depression was almost secondary to the diabetes queries. I think that maybe that is something should be conducted via an independent study.
 
For all we know, there could be 63 such studies already happening.

But if they do it, (properly) it will take years. So don't be holding your breath.
 
trophywench said:
For all we know, there could be 63 such studies already happening.

But if they do it, (properly) it will take years. So don't be holding your breath.
Click to expand...
Well if you just put Diabetes and Depression in pubmed you get 5778 results, quite a lot won't be relevant but a lot will.

Here's a site with some help for people suffering from Diabetes and Depression or Diabetes Distress.

http://behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/resources-diabetes-information-publications.html

I have to say I don't think phoning someone up and asking them if they are depressed is a good diagnostic strategy.
 
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HelenM said:
Well if you just put Diabetes and Depression in pubmed you get 5778 results, quite a lot won't be relevant but a lot will.

Here's a site with some help for people suffering from Diabetes and Depression or Diabetes Distress.

http://behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/about-Behavioral-Diabetes-Institute.html

I have to say I don't think phoning someone up and asking them if they are depressed is a good diagnostic strategy.
Click to expand...

That's so true. I know people that say they're depressed if they run out of chocolate!
Kelly.
 
I find it very strange such a direct question over the phone, and very subjective an answer too, whichever way. An assessment should be based on a thorough face to face interview, a lot can be deemed from appearance and non verbals.
 
(Just had a phone call from nurse at surgery asking me if I am suffering with depression. Ringing all people with a chronic illness to make sure we are not suffering with depression in silence.)

I had letter from Dr. recently asking if I had suffered from depression in the last month. It said that they were checking patients with Diabetes or Heart problems.
 
Yes, I was asked that by my lady Doctor about five years ago, two days before I took delivery of a brand new Triumph Bonneville T100. She told me she rode a BMW G650 GS. The next couple of weeks we went for ride outs around Lincolnshire. I recon she could see I wasn't suffering from depression! She was a pretty good Biker herself.
 
Very strange question one which I would find offensive to say the least dont they realise just cause your diabetic it dont mean your going to fall into a lull of depression grr.
 
It makes you think who is in charge ?? What happens if you had said yes ?? (would it be sorted on the phone, We might be getting calls from india shortly.🙄
 
The thing is the callous way some people used the term depressed when they are probably just upset, due to the weather etc. It is not a question that can be just answered over the phone - this is a real illness, and it creeps up on you sometimes. You are often not aware until it has started. I wish folk would realise there is a big difference between having a BAD DAY and DEPRESSION.
 
The sun is out, bike's fired up and the open road is beckoning. Depressed?
Far from it! Yipeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
 
my GP asked me at my diabetes annual review...well kind of...she basically said 'well you seem in really good spirits, so no depression then?!' Not a great way to do it, but at least she made a comment about it so that if I did have any concerns, I did have an opportunity to raise it.

I have heard many times that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer with depression, but not heard it the other way round, which seems to be the case from what some of you have said on here.

I hope anyone suffering with depression is getting the help they need and are determined to take each day as it comes 🙂
 
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