Feeling sad and low at some point of time is something which everybody experiences. It may be due to ups and downs of life and disappointments related to work, life and relationships. This feeling gradually subsides and you start enjoying your life again. When this feeling takes a tight hold on you and interferes with your everyday activities, you may not be just sad, but may have depression.
Diabetes and depression are the conditions that are highly prevalent and may co-exist. At any point of time, worldwide, approximately 340 million suffer from depression including 18 million from USA. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the incidence of depression is significantly higher compared to that among the individuals with no diabetes.
Vicious circle of diabetes and depression
Though the relationship between diabetes and depression is not fully understood, both the conditions seem to impact each other. If you are diabetic, then there is increased risk of developing depression and if you have depression, then there is higher risk of developing diabetes. When you are depressed, high levels of stress hormone is produced, this can contribute by reducing the sensitivity to insulin, thus causing increase in blood sugar levels.
A diabetic person may become overwhelmed by taking constant care of himself. The threat of developing diabetic related complications may contribute to the helplessness and self pity. The chronic nature of the illness, its biological effects and the potential complications may all increase the risk of a diabetic person becoming depressed.
Symptoms of depression
If you are diabetic, watch out for the following symptoms of depression. These symptoms may not be short term and seem to last for a long time. Identifying the depression is the first step and getting help is the second. If you have been feeling low, gloomy and miserable for too long, then check for these symptoms.
- Loss of interest in doing the activities you used to enjoy most.
- Changes in sleep habits that includes either wake up early than usual and struggle to catch the elusive sleep or feeling sleepy in odd hours.
- Loss of concentration is an important symptom. Other thoughts creep in and make you to drift and lose your concentration.
- Your appetite may change. Either you have lost the interest to eat and enjoy the foods you used to like or have started to consume more. Either of these results in either weight loss or weight gain.
- You feel as if you have lost the energy, feel tired often and exhausted.
- You feel anxious and more worried. You become irritated faster and cannot keep calm.
- You feel as though you are not doing anything right.
- You feel unhappy and sad.
- You feel dejected and want to end your life.
- You have back pain, headache and other unexplained physical problems often.
Depression in diabetes is a serious issue
Depression in diabetes is a critical issue for various reasons. Diabetic patients when they are depressed cannot effectively control blood glucose levels as they fail to follow diet and medication regimen. They may isolate themselves from others and as such decrease the availability of social support which could be important for the self-management of diabetes As depressed patients cannot self manage diabetes, there are increased chances of diabetic complications together with weight gain and obesity.
If depression in diabetic patients is not treated, they may not be able manage diabetes leading to high blood glucose, poor quality of life and therefore, increased healthcare costs. If diabetes is not controlled, it can increase the risk of complications relating to heart, eye sight, kidneys and leg ulcers which do not heal resulting in loss of limbs. Therefore, treating depression and maintaining positive health is important, more so, when you have diabetes.
Impact of depression on work performance
It is found that depression results in 400 million lost work days a year. Depression can significantly lower the work performance. A depressed person may not be able to think clearly, communicate effectively with others, may not be able to work with others or in a team and therefore is unable to perform the given task successfully. They may frequently absent themselves or arrive late at the workplace. All these may adversely affect the work productivity.
Treating depression
The management of depression particularly in relation to diabetes, should be undertaken by mental health professionals namely psychologist, psychiatrist nurse, professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, and psychiatrist who already may be a part of your diabetes management team. The treatment that best suits you, should be worked out through a discussion between your health professionals and you. Depression can be treated by counseling and medications. When taking medications for treating depression, discuss with your physician about the effects it can have on your blood sugar levels and if there is any need to change the dosages.
Coping with chronic illnesses and depression
According to World Health Organization, “Chronic diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression”. The most common complication of chronic illness, which includes diabetes, is depression. About one-third of individuals, who suffer from chronic illnesses exhibit symptoms of depression. This is because chronic illnesses cause changes in lifestyle curtailing the person’s independence and mobility. A chronic disease may also limit an individual’s activities making the person diffident and cause a sense of despair and hopelessness. In some cases, the physical effects of illness and the medications may cause depression. 25% of individuals who suffer from adult onset of diabetes have the risk of depression.
Chronic illness, depression and disability trap the patient in a no-win situation. Chronic illness causes symptoms of depression and depression consequently hamper successful treatment of the chronic disease. As you come to understand the complex issues related to chronic disease, you will find yourself wrangling with sadness and grief. It indeed an enormous task coming to grips with reality and live with the chronic illness.
Coping with depression
Try to get as much information about the illness, treatment, prevention and medication.
Talk about your condition to your medical support experts and discuss with them regarding any ongoing situation regarding your chronic illness. If you feel that the medication you are taking making you more depressed, then consult your physician for alternative medications. If you suffer from chronic pain, try getting relief through various medications, alternative therapies and remedies through your physician.
Keep yourself engaged in the activities you enjoy. This will boost your self confidence and positive self-image. Understand the physical effects and limitations the illness may bring upon you and adjust your life accordingly to bring the best in you in conditions of adversity. If you feel depressed, do not postpone or delay to consult your doctor and counselor and obtain help as immediately as possible. You need to manage your illness. You have to take responsibility for managing your illness and control. Follow the medications and recommendations of your physician.
Finding help and support
Together with the physical side, the emotional side of illness can be devastating to manage. Avoid being alone. Having other people to turn to alleviates your fears, frustrations and gives you strength to fight the illness that you are no longer alone. Discuss with your therapist and or physician for recommendation to a support group in the community. Try to build a support system if you do not have one. You can seek help from friends and family, support or self-help groups, on-line support or self-help groups, counselor, therapist and finally people like you.
You are not alone against diabetes and depression
If you are a diabetic, the risk of becoming depressed is high. Be aware of the symptoms, impact of depression in your work performance, and daily life, and get appropriate treatment. Cope with the illness and try to get support from others and understand that you are not alone in the battle against diabetes and depression.
