Depression is a term commonly used during conversation in context of unhealthy lifestyle and it generally refers to a condition in which a person feels herself/himself useless, neglected, and sad and looks at his/her life with a hopeless attitude. This condition has increased along with the rise in stressful and competitive lifestyle. If a person feels down once a while then it’s normal but if the condition persists for a longer duration (days or weeks) then this can be a symptom of serious depression.
Most people with diabetes don’t have depression but studies show that diabetic people are more prone to depression than the non diabetics. The risk of depression increases as the diabetic complications increases. The causes of diabetes generated depression are still unclear but according to some theories it can either generate from stress or from the metabolic effect on the brain.
Depression can adversely affect your health by getting into the vicious cycle and can block good diabetes self care. If you are depressed and energy deprived then chances are high that you will feel regular blood sugar testing a difficult task or following a good diet can irritate you. Sometimes you don’t like to eat at all which will definitely reflect in your blood sugar level.
Symptom of depression
Although, feeling low is the main symptom of depression but it is very difficult to distinguish it from the normal behavior. Here are some other symptoms which indicates the onset of this problem
- Loss of interest – You no longer enjoy your hobbies or the activities which pleases you
- Sleeping problems – Sleep deprivation, interrupted sleep, more sleep even in during daytime are some common sleeping problems occur during depression
- Change in appetite – You may start eating a lot (emotional eating) or just hate the sight of food means there may be a weight gain or weight loss in the body
- lack of concentration – You will not be able to focus on any particular activity because your mind will be occupied with useless cluttered thoughts
- Energy deprivation – you will feel low on energy all the time
- Nervousness – you will feel mental restlessness which develops into anxiety all the time
- Guilt – The feeling of uselessness and hopelessness will make you feel guilty all the time
- Sadness – You will feel low all the time and nothing can lift up your mood or spirit
- Suicidal thoughts – there will be an urge of self destruction developing in your mind due to negative emotions.
If you have been facing more than three symptoms from the above mentioned list from more than two weeks then you must consult a counselor for help.
Why do you need professional medical help?
In case of diabetes generated depression, it is more important to take professional help to prevent any physical damage caused by this mental problem. If a diabetic person will stop his/her medication under the condition of depression then he/she can worsen the diabetic condition. The blood sugar level can fluctuate on the regular basis which can negatively affect other organs.
Treatment of depression
Your doctor will refer to a specialist and you might need to talk to psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, licensed clinical social worker, or professional counselor if you are diagnosed with depression. There are mainly two types of treatment for this mental health problem which are:
Antidepressant medication
Psychiatrists dealing with diabetic patients are well aware about their condition and therefore they will prescribe the best suitable medications to treat depression without affecting the blood sugar level.
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Counseling or psychotherapy
This is the best therapy because the therapist will talk to you to know the reasons of your depression means if it is because of your diabetes or there is any other reason. If your depression is disease based then your counselor will try to boost your confidence by telling you the ways by which you can improve your condition and live a healthy life.
Besides these two treatments, family support is also necessary because the family members are the first persons who affect your lifestyle and behavior. Their caring and positive attitude greatly affect the recovery of a diabetes generated depression patient. It should be remember that this mental health problem can be cured but patient needs time, love, care and patience from his family and doctors.
Depression is a term commonly used during conversation in context of unhealthy lifestyle and it generally refers to a condition in which a person feels herself/himself useless, neglected, and sad and looks at his/her life with a hopeless attitude. This condition has increased along with the rise in stressful and competitive lifestyle. If a person feels down once a while then it’s normal but if the condition persists for a longer duration (days or weeks) then this can be a symptom of serious depression.
Most people with diabetes don’t have depression but studies show that diabetic people are more prone to depression than the non diabetics. The risk of depression increases as the diabetic complications increases. The causes of diabetes generated depression are still unclear but according to some theories it can either generate from stress or from the metabolic effect on the brain.
Depression can adversely affect your health by getting into the vicious cycle and can block good diabetes self care. If you are depressed and energy deprived then chances are high that you will feel regular blood sugar testing a difficult task or following a good diet can irritate you. Sometimes you don’t like to eat at all which will definitely reflect in your blood sugar level.
Symptom of depression
Although, feeling low is the main symptom of depression but it is very difficult to distinguish it from the normal behavior. Here are some other symptoms which indicates the onset of this problem
- Loss of interest – You no longer enjoy your hobbies or the activities which pleases you
- Sleeping problems – Sleep deprivation, interrupted sleep, more sleep even in during daytime are some common sleeping problems occur during depression
- Change in appetite – You may start eating a lot (emotional eating) or just hate the sight of food means there may be a weight gain or weight loss in the body
- Lack of concentration – You will not be able to focus on any particular activity because your mind will be occupied with useless cluttered thoughts
- Energy deprivation – you will feel low on energy all the time
- Nervousness – you will feel mental restlessness which develops into anxiety all the time
- Guilt – The feeling of uselessness and hopelessness will make you feel guilty all the time
- Sadness – You will feel low all the time and nothing can lift up your mood or spirit
- Suicidal thoughts – there will be an urge of self destruction developing in your mind due to negative emotions.
If you have been facing more than three symptoms from the above mentioned list from more than two weeks then you must consult a counselor for help.
Why do you need professional medical help?
In case of diabetes generated depression, it is more important to take professional help to prevent any physical damage caused by this mental problem. If a diabetic person will stop his/her medication under the condition of depression then he/she can worsen the diabetic condition. The blood sugar level can fluctuate on the regular basis which can negatively affect other organs.
Treatment of depression
Your doctor will refer to a specialist and you might need to talk to psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, licensed clinical social worker, or professional counselor if you are diagnosed with depression. There are mainly two types of treatment for this mental health problem which are:
Antidepressant medication – Psychiatrists dealing with diabetic patients are well aware about their condition and therefore they will prescribe the best suitable medications to treat depression without affecting the blood sugar level.
Counseling or psychotherapy – This is the best therapy because the therapist will talk to you to know the reasons of your depression means if it is because of your diabetes or there is any other reason. If your depression is disease based then your counselor will try to boost your confidence by telling you the ways by which you can improve your condition and live a healthy life.
Besides these two treatments, family support is also necessary because the family members are the first persons who affect your lifestyle and behavior. Their caring and positive attitude greatly affect the recovery of a diabetes generated depression patient. It should be remember that this mental health problem can be cured but patient needs time, love, care and patience from his family and doctors.