Did you know that people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression?
About one in four people with diabetes experience depression, and nearly 40% have encountered anxiety. Untreated mental health issues and uncontrolled diabetes can worsen each other.
According to the CDC, symptoms of depression can be mild to severe, and include:
- Feeling sad or empty
- Losing interest in favorite activities
- Overeating or not wanting to eat at all
- Not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling very tired
- Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious or guilty
- Having aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems
- Having thoughts of suicide or death
If you’re experiencing any of the above, consider speaking with a psychiatrist to work through thoughts, behaviors or emotions that are getting in the way of daily life. Call 911 right away if you have thoughts of suicide or violence.
A healthier mind, a healthier you
The good news is that support, awareness, and small, intentional steps can make a meaningful difference. By addressing both your emotional well-being and your physical health, you can build a more balanced, sustainable approach to managing diabetes.
Managing diabetes includes visits to your provider, healthy eating, physical activity and healthy coping strategies for stress. It may also require tracking blood glucose levels and taking medications. These daily tasks can be overwhelming, so prioritizing mental health is as important as physical health.
Take steps towards better mental health
Taking care of and paying attention to your mental health is critical when managing diabetes. Here are some helpful tips:
- Engage in healthy habits, such as regular exercise, meditation, adequate sleep, a balanced diet and good hygiene.
- Prioritize what is most important by writing it down or having a schedule to help stay on track.
- Reduce life stressors where possible. Stress can increase cortisol and stress hormone production, which leads to increased blood sugar levels, destabilizing diabetes. Not all stress can be removed, but focusing on healthy coping strategies can help you manage it better.
- Talk to a friend or family member if you believe your mental health needs support.
- Work with healthcare providers who are well-versed in mental and physical health conditions.
If you have diabetes and want to maintain good mental health, talk with your primary care doctor and a diabetes educator, who can help you keep your mental health in check.
