Diabetes: How does it affect mental health?

Diabetes is a disease that can affect physical health in various ways if medical treatment is not followed. It can also affect the mental health of the patients.

“People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes. Only 25-50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated. Treatment—either therapy, Medication, or both—are usually very effective. And, without treatment, depression often gets worse, not better,” explain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). .

It is important to note that depression It’s not just about feeling sad. Also, it is advised to seek professional psychological help to work on it, as it is one of the leading causes of suicides in the world.

“It can become a serious health problem, especially when it is recurrent and of moderate to severe intensity. It can cause great distress to the affected person and disrupt their work, school and family activities. In the worst case , It can lead to suicide.More than 700,000 people commit suicide every year. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the 15-29 age group”, indicates the World Health Organization.

symptoms of depression according to Mayo Clinic, The non-profit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education and research consists of the following:

• sense of sadness
• The desire to cry
• Anger, irritability over irrelevant matters.
• Disappointment.
• Loss of interest in normal activities.
• Insomnia or sleeping too much.
• Fatigue and lack of energy.
• loss of appetite
• weight gain.
• nervousness, restlessness
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
• Fixation on past moments or failures.
• Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions.
• Frequent thoughts about death or suicide attempts.
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Unexplained physical problems.

It is also important to be mindful of stress, as it can increase glucose levels.

“If you’re stressed, you’re more likely to care less than usual. Your blood sugar levels can also be affected because stress hormones cause them to rise and fall unpredictably, and the stress of getting sick or injured can cause them to grow. Being stressed over a long period of time can cause or worsen other health problems.

Apart from contributing to diabetes, stress can lead to other conditions like high blood pressure, heart conditions etc. The following are warning signs of stress:

• Headache, which may appear with anxiety. In terms of behaviour, you may overeat.
• Muscle tension or pain, which may be accompanied by restlessness and angry outbursts.
• Chest pain, lack of motivation or focus. This may be accompanied by behaviors such as drug addiction or alcoholism.
• Being tired and feeling overwhelmed. It can also appear from the use of tobacco.
• Changes in sexual desire and irritability or anger. It can present with social isolation.
• Upset stomach, sadness, or depression. Practice exercise less often.
• Sleep problems

diabetes

In people who have diabetes, their body does not make enough insulin or does not use it properly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains what happens: “When there is not enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much sugar remains in the bloodstream andOver time, this can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss and kidney disease.

Diabetes statistics are increasingly worrying, with the number of people living with the disease “increasing from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014,” according to the World Health Organization. The prevalence of the disease is rising rapidly among low-income people. and in middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

It is important to have a lifestyle that contributes to the prevention of this disease, as it is a significant cause of blindness, stroke and lower limb amputation. For those who have already been diagnosed with this disease, it is advised to follow the instructions given by the doctor to the letter.