Diabetes and Depression
In our last post, we talked about how your mental health can impact your physical health. It’s estimated that about 30 million people in the country have diabetes, with 25% of them being blacks and Hispanics. In fact, African American adults are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than Whites. When considering the stigma around mental health treatment, it’s important to consider how depression plays a factor in diabetes management.
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose. Studies have shown that diabetes increases the risk of depression and depression increases the risk of diabetes. Depression plays a direct role in treatment non-adherence. When we consider why depression and diabetes are correlated, think about how diabetes is developed. The development and course of diabetes is strongly related to multiple behavioral factors such as dietary habits, physical activity and medication adherence.
Experiencing the symptoms of depression can make it hard for someone to manage their diabetes effectively. In fact, the key factors in managing diabetes effectively, counteract the symptoms of depression. Take a look at the chart below. Notice how the symptoms of depression are opposite of the behaviors and lifestyle changes necessary to manage diabetes.
When you add feelings of hopelessness about your current life circumstances, it can be hard to manage your diabetes symptoms and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many of us know at least one person with diabetes. Often times, many people around you may be struggling with managing their diabetes. Being surrounded by it may make it feel hard to make the changes or make it seem impossible to have a healthy lifestyle, which further intensifies feelings of hopelessness or loss of motivation to make the proper changes.
Knowing the correlation between the two, it’s important to address your emotional needs and work towards managing your symptoms of depression, so that you can effectively manage your symptoms of diabetes. When you have a clear mind to make healthier decisions, you’re much more likely to think of and act on healthy decisions and create a healthier lifestyle. When you’re able to cope with your depressive symptoms, increase your social supports and interactions, find motivation to do the things you need to do to take care of yourself, change your thought processes to be able to experience life in a more positive way and process and heal from the things that may have triggered your depressive symptoms, you can effectively begin to take the steps necessary to feel good physically and mentally.
What do you think is getting in the way of you taking care of your mind and body? Do you know the steps necessary to get the emotional support you need to take charge of your life again? Talk to your doctor about creating a diabetes management plan that includes addressing your emotional and cognitive needs and not just your physical ones. Consider talking to a behavioral health consultant at your doctor’s office or consider going to therapy.
You deserve to feel happy and healthy, regardless of what circumstances life has thrown at you. Tend to and prioritize your emotional needs with the same importance of your physical needs!