Being diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming. After all, it’s a chronic disease and needs lifelong treatment. This often leads to low morale, forming a pathway for other mental health issues such as depression.

What you need to know:

Diabetes and mental health
Correlation between stress, depression and diabetes
Importance of mental health care after a diabetes diagnosis
How does stress aggravate diabetes?
Physiological effects of stress on blood sugar levels
Stress and difficulties in managing diabetes
Depression and diabetes
Strategies for managing mental health post-diagnosis

Diabetes and mental health

Being diagnosed with diabetes is not just a health issue. It also has a significant effect on our lifestyle. From changing daily routines and avoiding our favorite foods to added responsibilities like monitoring blood glucose and insulin shots, mental health becomes a significant factor. People with diabetes must be aware of their emotions and feelings. Letting mental health issues grow by ignoring them can lead to severe conditions like anxiety disorder and depression, which makes diabetes management even more difficult.

Correlation between stress, depression and diabetes

Mental health issues like depression are more likely in people with diabetes. People with diabetes are at 2 to 3 times more risk of developing depression. Treatment is effective in managing their conditions, but under 50% of people with diabetes seek help for mental illnesses. Being stressed has become a part of our lives and manifests in various ways, such as anger, fear or physical discomfort. Stress can affect your blood sugar by the sudden rise or fall of glucose and can also be related to diabetes mismanagement.

Importance of mental health care after a diabetes diagnosis

Dealing with the diagnosis of a chronic disease can be difficult. That’s why people with diabetes need to stay in touch with their healthcare professionals when they are diagnosed. To face the challenge from the beginning will help you manage your diabetes in the long run. The more you delay, the more difficult it will become for your body and mind.

How does stress aggravate diabetes?

Stress can unpredictably lower or increase blood glucose levels because of certain hormones that the body releases in response to it. It can induce insulin resistance and lead to abnormalities in regulating the body’s stress hormones. Stress affects a diabetic’s mood and emotional health and leads to further diabetic complications.

Physiological effects of stress on blood sugar levels

Physiological stress results from heavy activities and lack of sleep. Sleep is essential for the body to get adequate rest. Without it, stress levels rise, releasing stress hormones that make it difficult for the body to utilize insulin. Therefore, glucose levels keep growing as the cells cannot absorb it.

Stress and difficulties in managing diabetes

Not managing stress leads people with diabetes to stray from effective diabetes management. People with diabetes don’t get regular exercise or stay active; they skip meals or eat unhealthily; they are ignorant of their medication, and above all, they do not get adequate sleep. These are some basic difficulties in managing diabetes.

Depression and diabetes

Depression is a severe mental illness that can affect your work, personal relationships and even the way you take care in managing diabetes. People with diabetes have twice the chance of developing depression. It can be handled much better if patients talk about their emotional condition and get help immediately. But almost 50% of patients don’t seek help until it’s too late. Harboring unresolved issues directly leads to mental health deterioration and depression, which in turn deteriorates your diabetes.

Strategies for managing mental health post-diagnosis

It is much easier to prevent mental health problems by following a few strategies. Luckily, some strategies can help you manage mental health problems even after diagnosis.

Get adequate sleep every night. Good sleep is essential for a healthy body, and for people with diabetes, maintaining normal blood glucose levels is even more critical.
Our eating habits affect our mind and body as it regulates our mood. A wholesome, nutrient-rich meal taken in moderation is a good habit to incorporate.
Exercising for 20 minutes daily can help you maintain a healthy body and mind, which can lead to a healthy mind.
Indulge in a hobby to experience pleasure and joy. It’ll trigger your brain to fight depression by releasing neurotransmitters. Maintain a social life. Go out every once in a while and socialize with friends to negate the feeling of being alone. Sharing thoughts and enjoying yourself with friends can positively impact your mental health.

Remember to reach out and ask for help when you don’t feel like your usual self. Mental health issues are typical, but ignoring them can become extremely risky or even fatal for people with diabetes.

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