Depression Effects with Diabetes

Diabetes is often regarded as a physical condition that causes increased blood sugar levels and poses complications due to this excessive amount of glucose. While this is a true definition of the disease, diabetic patients also suffer emotional and psychological complications from diabetes, including depression.

Significance

• Diabetics are more prone to depression than other types of people, according to the American Diabetes Association, but the reason why is not fully understood.

Symtoms of Depression

• Symptoms of depression include decreased enjoyment in things you used to like, insomnia or excessive sleeping, nervousness, changes in appetite, lack of concentration, guilt, thoughts of self-harm and sadness that is worse in the morning.

Effects

• Diabetics suffering from depression are more likely to shirk in the necessary self-care needed to control blood-sugar levels, such as regular blood-sugar testing or following a dietitian's eating plan. Failure to provide this self-care often causes blood-sugar levels to spike and become out of control, causing a greater risk for complications from diabetes.

Risks

• Without self-care, risks from diabetes are possible, including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage and blindness.

Treatment

• If you are suffering from depression, notify your doctor. Antidepressant medications or therapy are usually successful at treating depression in diabetics.