A link between depression and diabetes has been found out by scientists recently. Depression and diabetes much like sleep and depression are related in many ways. Diabetic patients have high risk of developing depression. If you are unable to keep diabetes under control, it can cause symptoms that mimic depression symptoms. Diabetes is a condition that requires proper diet and lifestyle management. You may get depression from diabetes. Regular diabetes management may cause stress and stress build up overtime, leading to depression.
Link Between Depression and Diabetes
The link between depression and diabetes may get you into a nasty cycle by blocking good diabetes management and self care. If you feel depressed, you may have reduced energy levels. Hence, you may find regular tasks like testing blood sugar level and doing physical activities too much. This will again affect your blood sugar levels. Lethargy, extreme mood swings, lack of motivation and indecisiveness are the common depression symptoms that lead you to poor diabetes management, making it difficult to manage blood glucose levels. Depression and diabetes can create other health complications, reducing quality of life and psychological well being. Treating both the conditions is essential to lead a normal life.
Diabetes Effects
Depression is one of the major diabetes effects. The metabolic effects of diabetes on the brain may contribute to depression. Depression symptoms are common in diabetes patients. Research studies conducted in the areas of depression from diabetes reveal that diabetic patients who have the history of depression are more susceptible to develop diabetic complications than patients without depression. Depression and diabetes effects include loss of pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy, changes in appetite, trouble in focusing, sleep problems, erectile dysfunction and skin problems. If you experience these symptoms, you need to get the help of a physician.
Treatment for Diabetes and Depression
Understanding the link between depression and diabetes can help you realize the importance of getting tips for depression treatment for both the problems together. Depression from diabetes may cause many complications, which may exacerbate the depression symptoms. It can lead to poor lifestyle habits like taking unhealthy foods, avoid doing exercises, smoking, drinking alcohol and sudden weight gain, which increase the risk factors for diabetes. Depression also affects your capacity to think and communicate clearly and this may obstruct with your ability to cope with diabetes symptoms effectively.
Self Management Programs
Self management programs can help treat depression and diabetes. Behavioral therapies are proved to be effective in improving their sense of well being and quality of life. Antidepressant medications and medications for diabetes can also help you alleviate the conditions. Many people respond well to the combination of psychotherapy and medication. Lifestyle changes like healthy balanced diet and regular exercise can help improve both the conditions. They also help enhance the effectiveness of medications and therapies.
It is important to remember that leaving depression untreated can create additional complications that occur as co morbid condition with diabetes, making it difficult to treat. A study shows that there is a link between depression in diabetic patients and Alzheimer’s disease. Treating depression in diabetic patients can help enhance their lifespan and quality of life.