Diabetes Distress and Depression

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Medical review by Anna Goldman, Maryland.

Mental health challenges are the natural consequences of living with diabetes. This is a state that appears to be invading everything we do. Living with diabetes is not easy – we need to maintain our state before our minds every time we eat or exercise – and stress increases quickly.

People with diabetes are much more likely to experience depression, and are a diagnostic condition that doctors should address. Many others experience the pain of diabetes. This is a term used to define the persistent feelings of frustration and helplessness that lead to burnout and frustration in glucose management.

Each of these conditions can create a vicious cycle. If you are not at the best of your mind, you cannot optimally manage your blood sugar – it may only make your depression and pain even worse.

Depression and diabetes pain are not exactly the same, but are two important conditions that are often overlooked. This article outlines the differences and explains what to look for.

Diabetes and depression

Depression is considered a diagnostic condition worthy of professional treatment, rather than simply a vague sense of sadness or darkness.

Official definition of depression (also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. The latest version of this prestigious book is known as the DSM-5. To be diagnosed with depression, a person must exhibit five or more depressive symptoms. These include the following major issues:

• Loss of joy in most activities
• Important unintended weight loss or gain
• Unhealthy sleep patterns
• Continuous fatigue
• Valuelessness or guilt
• Suicidal thoughts

According to American Psychiatric AssociationAlmost 7% of Americans experience depression in a given year, and around 17% experience it at some point in their lifetime. However, these numbers are significantly higher in people with diabetes.

Research shows The depression is “more than three times higher in people with type 1 diabetes… and almost twice higher in people with type 2 diabetes.” Related conditions such as anxiety, stressand Eating disorders It is also more common.

It may seem clear that diabetes can cause depression – why does an inevitable health make you feel sick? – But it’s more complicated than that. There is an incredible connection between the brain, metabolism and researchers Suspect That depression may help in causing the development and progression of type 2 diabetes first. Lonelinessfor example, it causes the release of cortisol, which increases blood glucose levels. and studies suggest that a adult is marriage Or someone who spends more time friend Enjoy the benefits of direct metabolism.

Of course, for some people, diabetes and depression may not be clearly linked.

Diabetes pain and burnout

Diabetes pain is not very well known, but it will be very easy for most people with diabetes to recognize it. Diabetes pain is an emotional response to diabetes, the effect of all the fear, worry and burden that this disease has. This is a natural response to daily stress with diabetes. These are blood sugar levels, medication, medical devices, and millions of other ways that affect every little decision we make.

It’s very common. Separate studies have been reported by as many as 36% of people Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes There is diabetes-related pain.

Unlike depression, diabetes distress is not clearly defined as a clinical diagnosis and is generally not treated with medication. Nevertheless, Diabetes pain is worth treating! This snowball frustration and sense of meaninglessness leads to burnout straight away.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Diabetes burnout explains that “it can lead to unhealthy habits, stop monitoring your blood sugar levels, and even skip appointments with your doctor.” Burnout can cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly and can be very bad for long-term health. In the worst case scenario, neglect or carelessness associated with burnout can cause severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, leading to terrible outcomes like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Which one is it? Depression vs. diabetes pain

It can be difficult to say where the pain of diabetes ends and where depression begins. DNP’s Kathryn Evans Kryder wrote an article Diabetes therapy We discuss how these two conditions do not overlap. Dr. Kreider is a clinical professor at the Faculty of Nursing at Duke University.

• Depression and distress may have similar symptoms, but depression is more severe than usual. For example, people who suffer from diabetes may feel unmotivated or overwhelmed, but those emotions can be more debilitating than the characteristic loss of pleasure in major depressive disorder.
• Some distress symptoms can be the result of diabetes. For example, sleep deprivation caused by repeated overnight hypoglycemia events is different from insomnia caused by major depressive disorders. Fatigue may be the result of hyperglycemia rather than depression.
• Symptoms of diabetes can be caused or worsen by common conditions in diabetes, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and vitamin defects.
• Depression can have more serious physical effects, such as delayed psychomotor and delayed mental and physical functions such as eye movements and facial expressions.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of overlaps too. For example, both conditions may result in reduced ability to concentrate, and it is not easy to say exactly how serious this effect is to qualify as a symptoms of depression. And it can be difficult to tease causes and effects. The level of diabetes distress in patients, independent risk factors for depression, and glycemic control are all closely related.

There are many online screening tools and surveys available to see if you may have Diabetes pain or depression. However, diagnosing diabetes pain and depression is the job of a medical professional.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should share your concerns with your clinician, preferably a doctor or endocrinologist who will help you care for your diabetes. Even your family doctor may be comfortable screening You for depression.

Both depression and diabetes pain can directly affect your ability to manage your condition well.

Mental health resources for people with diabetes

Diabetes is cured daily Gathering mental health resources for diabetic patients. Ideally, your diabetes clinician can connect you to the mental health help you need, but not everyone is lucky enough to have access to such optimal care.

The American Diabetes Association is run Mental Health Provider Introduction Directorythis will help American patients find mental health providers who have expertise in unique issues related to diabetes.

Clinical depression should be given specialized attention. For those suffering from diabetes, finding the help of a professional can be more difficult (or you can convince the insurance company to pay it). However, there are many other resources that can help you get back on track.

• Several national organizations have organized meetups and support groups
• Online therapy can provide cheap access to professionals who really understand diabetes
• Diabetes online community including thrivedailywellnessa great place to find advice and wisdom from people who have experienced it all

Prevention and treatment

There is no easy way to prevent mental health issues. Some variables, from genetics to geopolitics, always get out of our control. Cleveland Clinic We recommend three steps to avoid depression:

• Maintain a healthy sleep routine.
• Manage stress with healthy coping mechanisms.
• Practice regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.

For people with diabetes, proper self-care and undoubtedly good blood glucose control are also necessary. It may be worth considering new technologies that will help ease the burden of glucose management, especially continuous glucose monitor (CGM), insulin pumps, or artificial pancreatic (“loop”) systems.

There are many treatments available to improve the symptoms of diabetes distress and depression. These may include talking therapy, lifestyle changes, medication, optimizing blood glucose control, and other health management.

Treatment of clinical depression It’s too big to tackle here. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation and work together to develop the most reasonable care plan for yourself or your loved one. However, some general things are worth noting Antidepressants can affect blood sugar levels.

If you are experiencing the pain of diabetes and appear to be spiraling towards burnout, CDC Provide ideas on how to get back on track, including:

• Think about your feelings seriously
• If your diabetes medication and equipment are too expensive, ask your doctor and pharmacist about affordable programs
• Ask friends and family for help with your condition
• Find support from others with diabetes
• Set small, manageable goals for improving self-care

Conclusion

Diabetes affects not only our bodies but our minds, and the stress of blood glucose control can reach anyone. These mental health conditions can have bad outcomes if you are unable to manage your diabetes and achieve your full potential.

Diabetes pain and depression is a serious condition worthy of the attention of your medical health team. If you feel that frustration, mal lazyness, or sadness is having a significant impact on your health, consult your clinician. You may need effort and comprehensive support to get you back on track to thrive with diabetes.