Diabetes and depression: Is there a connection between them?
Diabetes is a chronic disease wherein the body’s management of sugar is faulty, which can create a negative impact on organs like the kidneys and eyes, the circulatory system, the digestive system and the nervous system — it can also lead to depression.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than those without. Dr. Elina Trofimovsky, endocrinologist at Baylor College of Medicine, details how this disease can lead to depression and how to manage the two.
“Living with diabetes can be burdensome to a lot of patients, especially ones who are on insulin multiple times a day,” Trofimovsky said. “It can be very overwhelming to manage, which can lead to a person feeling depressed, burned out, and unable to cope.”
Trofimovsky mainly works with patients who have diabetes and has seen first-hand how common it is for people who have the disease to have diabetes distress or depression. She adds that when people are depressed and have diabetes, it can worsen their disease because they are unable to do the self-care that is necessary to manage it. On the flip side, in some cases, depression can also contribute to diabetes.
“When patients are struggling with low mood, they cannot find the motivation to be active or to make the best food or beverage choices, and it can worsen the control of the sugars we aim to achieve; it can be a double-edged sword,” Trofimovsky said.
Symptoms of diabetes may include:
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Excessive hunger
- Weight loss
- Blurry vision
- Recurrent infections
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Eating too much or not wanting to eat at all
- Having a loss of energy or constantly feeling tired
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- A constant feeling of hopelessness
- A loss of interest in favorite activities
- Suicidal ideation
To manage both depression and diabetes, it often takes a village.
“See your diabetes provider regularly and work with a dietitian or diabetes educator to tackle small, realistic goals. It is also critical to work with a psychiatrist and psychologist to develop a treatment plan, enlist the help of family or friends if available, or look into support groups,” Trofimovsky said.
There are resources available if you are struggling with diabetes and depression. Or, see resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). If you need immediate help with suicide ideation, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
By Taylor Barnes
