Diabetes and Depression

Emotions Affect Diabetes

For hundreds of years, medical practitioners had believed there was a direct impact on one’s health from emotions. Today we understand that overall mental health is important to the health and well being of everyone.

Have you ever met someone with severe depression? Often people sufferering from severe depression may seem irritable, withdrawn, tired, and even their personal care (may) suffer. Being diagnosed with diabetes is a stressful, life changing event. Depending on the personality and the way an individual deals with stress, their health may suffer and spiral downwards quickly.

Typical Stages Of Emotions

1. Denial:
The diabetic denies they have a condition. This is common in teens, even those who have suffered from juvenile diabetes for some time. This stage can be very dangerous, as the diabetic refuses to use proper diabetic diet, health care, and may not take their medication. Denial can happen over and over, depending on the person.

2. Anger:
Very common in all diabetics. Some may feel angry at others in their family who do not suffer from diabetes, who seem to be able to eat whatever they wish, or because they need to use blood testing supplies to ‘prick’ themselves many times a day. Anger may be directed towards the doctor who diagnosed them, believing it it ‘their fault’.

3. Depression:
A normal phase. Being mildly depressed at such a huge life change is completely normal. Long term feelings of depression, especially severe symptoms should be treated immediately.

4. Acceptance:
Finally, the diabetic has come to an understanding of his or her body. They take good care of themselves and may believe that their new good health is due to being diagnosed with diabetes. They pay close attention to all aspects of their health.

Make It To Acceptance

To make it to the 4th stage, you should understand it may take time. Each emotion your feel about your diabetes and body is normal. If you feel you are having extreme depression, speaking with your doctor right away is imperitive. Sadness and anger can have a profound effect on your blood glucose levels. This effect can range from severe highs to dangerous lows.

Your doctor can consult you best on how to pursue care of depression. For more information on depression, be sure to visit Battling Depression, one of the Battling For Health sister blogs.