Diabetes and Emotions
In this article
Stress and Diabetes continued...
Talk to Someone
Don't keep everything bottled up inside. Though talking with a family member or close friend may help, there are counselors and clergy specially trained to provide support and insight.
Exercise
The benefits of exercise in reducing stress are well known. Exercise gives you a feeling of well-being and may relieve the symptoms of stress.
Take Time to relax
Practice deep muscle relaxation, deep abdominal breathing,meditation, guided imagery, or visualization. Ask your health care provider for information and available programs in stress management.
For more detail, see WebMD's article Stress and Diabetes.
Depression and Diabetes
Depression affects about 15% to 30% of people with diabetes. While depression is a problem if left untreated, depression can also have a negative impact on diabetes self-management and blood sugar control and cause other complications. If you are feeling depressed, call your health care provider. There are proven steps you can take to feel better.
Is diabetes making me depressed?
High or low blood sugar can make you feel tired or anxious and affect your sleep. These symptoms may mimic depression. Occasionally hormones may be out of balance and can be corrected. Talk with your health care provider about your symptoms and blood sugar levels.
Why are people with diabetes vulnerable to depression?
Depression is a complex disease that can result from a multitude of factors, including biology and emotional and environmental influences. It's normal to suffer from sadness every once and a while, but studies have shown that people with diabetes have a greater risk of developing depression than people without diabetes.
For people with diabetes, depression can develop as a result of the lifestyle adjustments they have to make to control their diabetes. Managing diabetes can be stressful and time-consuming and the dietary restrictions can make life seem less enjoyable.
What are the symptoms of depression?
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Inability to concentrate
- Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep)
- Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Observable mental and physical sluggishness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Diabetes and Emotions
In this article
Depression and Diabetes continued...
If you (or someone you love) show signs of depression for two or more weeks or it seems severe, inform your doctor and seek treatment. It's also important to know that the hormonal changes seen in someone with depression can cause worsening control of blood sugars.
How is depression treated in people with diabetes?
Depression in diabetes can be successfully treated with medication and/or talk therapy. Some people have trouble staying on theirantidepressant medications and discontinue them after several months because of side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about side effects, including how they might be affecting your blood sugars. If you are taking antidepressants and want to stop, talk to your doctor about the best way to slowly reduce the dose you are taking. It is important not to suddenly stop taking these prescribed medications.
For more detail, see WebMD's article Diabetes and Depression.
Diabetes Support
When your spouse has diabetes and isn't serious about managing the disease, it can cause the entire family to feel frustrated. It's important to understand some key ways to support a spouse with diabetes -- criticizing the person usually backfires. There are effective ways to create a healthy partnership with your spouse and give much-needed support without nagging.
Coping Strategies
Learning how to cope with the emotions that come with diabetes is a big step in staying healthy. Here are a few ideas:
- Find a doctor who takes your diabetes seriously and who listens to your concerns.
- Talk to friends about how diabetes has affected you.
- Find a support group for people with diabetes.
- Make an appointment with a professional therapist or counselor.
- Learn more about your illness. The more knowledge you have about diabetes, the more in control you will feel and the better you will be able to manage it effectively.
It's a long tedious journey, but the right approach CAN lead you to a happy life!
This was a serious couple of articles, but I hope you got a if not the message,
Sleep tight on it,
Greetings,
Barbara
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