Newbie

[BELLABOPS]

Hi everyone I'm new to this site but hope to get lots of support from everyone and also give support
I have type 2 diabetes not on medication.I know symptoms vary from person to person but may i ask if anyone get anxiety with diabetes there reason I'm asking this is because I've noticed if i overendulge in certain food it seem to make my anxiety worse i was wondering if there is a link between diabetes anxiety and food.

 

[zuludog]

Welcome to the Forum!

No one knows exactly why, but many people with diabetes (myself included) have feelings like depression, anxiety, worrying about nothing, concern, a feeling of constantly looking over your shoulder; but nothing specific that you can really pin down

I don't know if it's specifically linked to food, though it might be
all I can say is that if you keep your diabetes under control the feeling diminishes, though you are always aware that it never completely goes away

I keep on top of it by keeping my BG levels and so on in the right range, and occupying my mind by concentrating on other hobbies and interests

If it gets too bad go to your doctor

Let us know how you go on

 

[BELLABOPS]

Hi Zuludog thank you for your response i know i need to start taking care of myself and watch my carb intake which i haven't done for a while!!so today is the time to take control i will let you know how i get on.

 

[zuludog]

Hi Zuludog thank you for your response i know i need to start taking care of myself and watch my carb intake which i haven't done for a while!!so today is the time to take control i will let you know how i get on.

Well, dredge up some of your ancient hippy Zen! - today is the first day of the rest of your life

There is loads of information about reducing carb consumption, controlling your diabetes and looking after yourself in general
I find it helpful to look on that sort of thing as a job that I must do, but to do it as well as I can

Have a look at previous threads in Newcomers, Food & carbs, and if necessary, Weight Loss sections
When you have your BG under control, you find that besides diabetes, things like your weight, BP, and general feelings improve

As again if you have any questions - nothing is too silly or trivial - or if you just want a rant and some encouragement

 

[ColinUK]

Hi @BELLABOPS and welcome to the forum.

I’ve not heard of a link between mental health issues and diabetes but I know that if my blood glucose is high then I feel like rubbish physically and mentally although I’ve a preexisting diagnosis of depression and anxiety so I wouldn’t know if it was directly linked to BG levels or not I guess.

What else can you tell us about your circumstance?
How did you come to be diagnosed?
Do you know what your HbA1C is/was when you had it last measured?

We’re a friendly bunch here and nothing is out of bounds to ask so pull up a chair and make yourself at home!

 

[Drummer]

I have been low carbing for a very long time, when I could get away from people who thought that they knew better than me about how I felt when eating carbs.
There is definitely a difference in mental outlook and the ability to cope with life in general between a sad bad carby diet and one much more like the Atkins way of eating.
It is far easier to cope, and to remain optimistic in times of adversity when eating 50 gm of carbs a day along with proteins and fats. I have 50 years experience of going in and out of low carb/ketosis and I really do suspect that when I was being hammered by the combined effects of Metformin and Atorvastatin, had I not been low carbing I really would have topped myself.
I have noticed that people infected with Covid seem to lose hope.
First it was just people being interviewed on TV, but my morris team band member who has Covid at the moment can't see any future, the one who died gave up on life and refused further treatment, which was totally out of character.

 

[ColinUK]

I have been low carbing for a very long time, when I could get away from people who thought that they knew better than me about how I felt when eating carbs.
There is definitely a difference in mental outlook and the ability to cope with life in general between a sad bad carby diet and one much more like the Atkins way of eating.
It is far easier to cope, and to remain optimistic in times of adversity when eating 50 gm of carbs a day along with proteins and fats. I have 50 years experience of going in and out of low carb/ketosis and I really do suspect that when I was being hammered by the combined effects of Metformin and Atorvastatin, had I not been low carbing I really would have topped myself.
I have noticed that people infected with Covid seem to lose hope.
First it was just people being interviewed on TV, but my morris team band member who has Covid at the moment can't see any future, the one who died gave up on life and refused further treatment, which was totally out of character.

I’ve seen some research on mental health in people who had COVID months previously and it’s grim reading.
There seems to be a statistically significant increase in acute mental ill health about 4 months or so after symptoms cease.
This is in people with no previous mental ill health concerns.

It’s another ticking time bomb which will need addressing silver rather than later. Of course it’s also going to need a drastic increase in mental health services funding.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi everyone I'm new to this site but hope to get lots of support from everyone and also give support
I have type 2 diabetes not on medication.I know symptoms vary from person to person but may i ask if anyone get anxiety with diabetes there reason I'm asking this is because I've noticed if i overendulge in certain food it seem to make my anxiety worse i was wondering if there is a link between diabetes anxiety and food.

Hi Bellabops, welcome to the forum!

It's totally normal to experience anxiety, especially when you're first diagnosed. There's a natural worry about what you're eating and whether it will cause harm to your BS levels.

The good thing is that it normally subsides with time and info. The more you get to understand how your body responds to the foods you eat, the more confident you'll feel that you're making the right choices.

We have an info sheet on Anxiety and Diabetes that may be helpful as well as how to cope with stress and Diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2019-03/0526 Diabetes UK HCP_Anxiety_P3.pdf

Stress and diabetes

Stress doesn't cause diabetes but it can affect your blood sugar levels and how you look after your condition. Having diabetes to manage on top of life’s normal ups and downs can itself be a cause of stress. It’s not always easy to live with and this can also feel harder when many people don’t...

www.diabetes.org.uk

As always though, if you need to talk about your mental wellbeing, please do reach out. You can also contact our helpline and they can point you in the right direction.

 

[Inka]

Hi @BELLABOPS I don’t get anxiety but when my blood sugar is high I get a feeling of irritation and panic. It’s definitely something physical rather than mental, as it’s come on when I’ve been very relaxed.

Perhaps try testing your blood sugar to see if there’s any link?

 

[grovesy]

Hi @BELLABOPS I don’t get anxiety but when my blood sugar is high I get a feeling of irritation and panic. It’s definitely something physical rather than mental, as it’s come on when I’ve been very relaxed.

Perhaps try testing your blood sugar to see if there’s any link?

I had a few episodes of panics with hypos when I was on Gliclazide, I only discovered as I checked my bloods when it happened 2 days in a row when I was sitting in my living room.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @BELLABOPS

Sorry to hear about your anxiety. I think it is only natural to worry when you have been diagnosed with diabetes, because you will almost certainly have been told about some pretty nasty things that can lurk around the corner.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened or worried by your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.

Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood anxiety and depression, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.

Do you monitor your own BG levels at home to see the effects of different foods you are eating?