Depression And Diabetes – Symptoms: The connection between diabetes and depression hands out scary statistics, especially for women. The statistics do not show that every person who obtains diabetes in their lifetime develops depression as well, but it is a huge possibility. Studies have proven that women who have diabetes are 29 percent more likely to develop depression than women who do not have diabetes and for those patients who use insulin to control diabetes are 53 percent more likely to develop depression.
What causes depression in diabetes to occur? Many believe the cause of depression is due to lack of diabetic management while others believe that daily stress of managing diabetes can lead to depression.
Lack of Diabetic Management– A person with diabetes has a lot of things to do during the day to take care of themselves so that diabetes does not control their life. If diabetes is not managed properly than diabetic symptoms can mask themselves as depression symptoms, making you feel very sad and unlike yourself.
Daily Stress of Diabetes Management– People who have diabetes realizes the daily stress as they are the ones who have to draw blood several times during the day and take their blood sugar. This can interfere with daily life, especially when trying to enjoy events with friends and family members. If a person has to stop the whole event just to take their blood sugar, they began to feel almost like a burden. It can cause a certain amount of stress, which in turn can cause depression.
The most important thing to do when you believe depression or diabetes can be a health issue in your life is to talk to your doctor. However, you should know both symptoms so that you can tell your doctor exactly what you have been feeling.
Depression Symptoms
- Sadness that lasts past two weeks and does not get better
- Irregular feelings of guilt or hopelessness
- Thoughts or attempts of suicide, a want to end your life
- Muscle pains on a daily basis
- Overeating or Under-eating
Diabetes Symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in your legs, arms, toes or fingers
- Pain in your hands or feet
- Seeing black spots
- A dizzy feeling, that makes you feel uncomfortable
- Increased thirst
Diabetes can be hard to manage, but even harder when depression enters the picture. If you have diabetes and find yourself feeling a bit sad, talk with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe an anti-depressant that will help you feel better. When you have diabetes the best thing you can do to help stay away from depression is to manage your diabetes very well. Take your insulin, take your daily blood sugar tests, eat healthy, get in a bit of exercise and remember to talk to your doctor about any changes you are feeling.
