Depression and Diabetes
Depression and Diabetes
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), many diabetics face serious mental health challenges that are associated with diabetes and its complications. In fact, having diabetes doubles the risk of developing depression, according to the NIMH.
Questions About Diabetes?
Diabetics have physical and mental conditions that they must overcome when it comes to managing their diabetes. 
Not only do diabetics often have to deal with the physical effects of the disease, such as high blood pressure, stress, and obesity, but they also have to face the knowledge that Diabetes is a disease for which there is no cure.
Often, once a person begins to show signs of diabetic side effects, the person will also feel depressed. As diabetes worsens, depression often worsens.
Do you believe that you may have depression? Take a moment to read through the following depression checklist or take our depression quiz:
- Feelings of persistent sadness or anxiety
- Feelings of “emptiness”
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and other activities, including sex
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Insomnia, waking early, or oversleeping
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering facts
- Indecisiveness
- Loss of appetite or weight
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Restlessness or irritability
- Treatment
There are many treatments for depression, depending on the type and severity of the depression that you have. Some people will feel better simply by speaking with a therapist. Others may need special medications to help control their depression. Some people even claim that herbal supplements, such as St. John’s wort, help to clear their depression effectively.We are are not aware of the scientific proof.
Here is a site that specializes in helping individuals deal with stress management. Reduce Stress – Partnering with you on stress & about living with stress, symptoms, treatment, stress management, dealing with stress, and more.
Alternatively, you can check this one out Feel Healthy Again. Depression, Stress, Weight, Exercise, Healthy Eating and Diets all affect our health and how upbeat we feel. “Feel Healthy Again” is another site that takes a holistic view on addressing depression and how to feel healthy again.
Before beginning any herbal or medicinal treatment, it is important to discuss your condition with your physician. Some medications interact badly or could cause harmful side effects in your body. Therefore, always ask your doctor for advice when it comes to beginning a new treatment plan.
Help Someone Feel Better with a Diabetic Gift Basket
The discussion of depression and diabetes is important and helpful for many 
people with Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, or gestational diabetes. Www.typefreediabetes.com usually discusses methods of maintaining a diabetic’s physical health in www.typefreediabetes.com’s Diabetes Information section.
However, maintaining a diabetic’s mental well-being is equally as important as Where’s My Basket? Maintaining their physical health – and countless studies indicate that good diabetes mental health can often result in good physical health. For that reason, diabetics need to be particularly aware of their mental attitude and strive on a continual basis to stay positive.
Thanks!
If you have a loved one that has Type 1 diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes, there are many things that you can do to help them stay positive, happy, and healthy. However, sending a wellness basket is not only a fun way to show your support, but it also gives your diabetic loved one a jump start on their wellness and can remind them that even though they have been diagnosed with diabetes, they can still enjoy many delicious foods and treats.
Our wellness baskets come loaded with tasty diabetic-friendly treats, including teas, diabetes snack items, diabetes desserts, sugar-free jams, and other low-sugar goodies.
Our baskets are affordably priced and designed with your diabetic loved one in mind. Plus, the high-quality basket is durable and makes a great place to store low-sugar treats for years to come. So go ahead – show your diabetic loved one that they can still indulge and delicious goodies by sending a thoughtful wellness basket today!
3 Steps to Minding Mental Health
- Everyone feels stress, sadness, discomfort, and other emotional ups and downs as a normal part of life. However, diabetics may tend to be more susceptible to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and just plain lethargy than others.
Feeling Sad?
Many of these negative feelings come from the knowledge that they have a serious illness. Other feelings may stem from the everyday routine that Diabetics need to go through in order to stay healthy.
Here are some simple steps to help you manage your mental health:
The first step to gaining control of your mental health is to identify the cause of any distress. For example, if you are feeling sad, ask yourself why you are feeling sad.
- Are you feeling down because of low blood sugar?
- Can you just not stand to go through another daily blood glucose test?
- Are you tired of always having to make sure you have the proper medications before leaving your home for the day?
Little issues and concerns may begin to pile on top of one another if you do not take the time to address each one as it comes. Remember, it is normal to be frustrated sometimes about the burden caused by having to constantly care for your medical condition.
- However, identifying the cause of the frustration can help you get through it much faster than if you were to be frustrated for reasons that you cannot explain. Don’t be ashamed to be bothered by the little things – they are important. But be sure that you develop a plan for coping with them.
Whenever you start to feel sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed by your condition, developing a plan for coping is the next step you need to take in order to restore peaceful mental health. After you have taken time to identify the issues that are causing problems, create a solution for overcoming or managing those problems.
For example, if you are frustrated by always having to remember to leave the house with your proper medication, look for solutions that allow you to not think about it. Perhaps you can store some medications in your car (be sure your medication can be stored in hot or cold temperatures).
Maybe you can tuck a ration of medication away in a pocket of your purse. There are even medication containers for key chains that may help to ensure that you always have a dose even if you leave home without remembering to stock up.
- Also, remember that Diabetes management has a lot to do with predicting how your body will react in certain situations. Therefore, once you know how to predict behavior and reactions, you will have a much easier time coping mentally with the burden of having to care for your Diabetes.
Medical Help
Many emotional highs and lows are completely normal for all people – not just diabetics. However, if you or someone you love has fallen into a “rut” and cannot seem to break free from it, it may be time to consult a physician.
- Many people have depression or other anxiety issues without even knowing it.
Here are some common symptoms of depression to be aware of:
- Change in sleep patterns (insomnia or waking up too early)
- Loss of pleasure in hobbies or other activities
- Loss of weight or increase in weight
- Difficult focusing on work or other things, such as watching TV
- Lack of energy
- Feelings of nervousness or anxiety
- Guilt and concerns of being a burden to others
- Suicidal thoughts
Feeling Bad……Treat Yourself…To Something Good.
Depression may Trigger Diabetes in Elderly
“Older adults who report high levels of depressive symptoms are more likely to develop diabetes over time than older adults who have lower depressive symptoms,” said lead researcher Mercedes R. Carnethon of Northwestern University.
Read more in China View.
For more news on Diabetes, click on News Articles.
