Diabetes and Depression

If you are diabetic, you may experience depression. Studies have shown that people who have diabetes are more prone to depression than those who do not. There is no clear reason why this is so, but it is believed that the depression comes from two different areas.

The first is the initial diagnosis of diabetes. Of course, being diagnosed with any lifelong condition could cause depression. It is important to realize that the depression caused by the diagnosis should quickly pass. If it doesn't, you need to discuss the depression with your doctor.

Depression may also set in from time to time after your diagnosis. This is often caused by the stress of managing your diabetes. It could also be caused by feeling different from those around you.

Of course, the serious health problems that can occur due to diabetes are also cause for depression. The key here is to realize that depression that has a reason is normal. It is a different kind of depression that needs treatment.

If you find that you have the symptoms of depression, you need to discuss those symptoms with your doctor. Symptoms include trouble focusing or concentrating, change in sleep patterns and appetite, lack of energy, feelings of guilt, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.

If you have any of these symptoms, again, contact your doctor. He may find that this really is depression, and be able to treat it, but he may also find that the symptoms that you are experiencing are caused by out-of-control diabetes, which is very common.

Just as diabetes is not going to rule your life -- you are going to rule the diabetes -- depression cannot be allowed to rule your life, either. Regardless of what causes the depression, or the symptoms of depression, seek treatment as soon as possible so that you can get back to the business of living life to the fullest!