The Connection Between Diabetes and Depression: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

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Diabetes and depression: a worrying duo

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People with diabetes are more likely to take antidepressants. This is even twice as often for people under 30. Conversely, people with depression are twice as likely to develop diabetes. The fact that both conditions often go hand in hand can partly be explained by lifestyle factors such as a lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption. Changing your lifestyle can improve both your physical and mental health.

Also read: Depression: why such a long suffering?

What’s the explanation?

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To explain the link between diabetes and depression, we need to look at several underlying factors. For example, living with a chronic condition usually has a psychological effect. Those who are told at a younger age that they have diabetes often find it a difficult message to process. Some of the dreams for the future seem to be disappearing.

Another possible explanation is certain lifestyle factors that are present, such as an inappropriate diet, being less physically active, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and reduced compliance with therapy.

But there is also a biological mechanism at the root: the dysfunction of one of the body’s most important stress systems, the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. As a result, all kinds of substances – hormones – are disrupted. Both depression and diabetes involve hormonal imbalance. This could therefore also be a possible explanation for the relationship between depression and diabetes.

Also read: Podcast: healthy lifestyle for type 2 diabetes

What are the consequences?

The combination of diabetes and depression has serious consequences for health and quality of life. People with depression find it more difficult to take their medication regularly, eat healthily and exercise enough. For example, the chance that a diabetic patient with depression will not adhere to treatment instructions is three times greater than a non-depressed diabetic patient. This puts depressed diabetics at greater risk of complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney and eye disease.

In addition, they have a reduced quality of life and poorer glucose levels. Moreover, due to the two-way relationship between diabetes and depression, these patients are at risk of ending up in a vicious circle.

Also read: What is prediabetes and what can you do about it?

What can you do?

To limit depressive symptoms and the risk of physical complications with diabetes, there are a number of therapies and lifestyle factors that can help:

Psychological help: cognitive behavioral therapy can improve your mood. With this type of therapy, people also receive information about how they can manage their diabetes themselves. Psychoeducation: information tailored to the person about the risk and susceptibility to disorders due to inappropriate nutrition and lack of exercise. Sports and exercise: ‘ Healthy Sports’ recommends 150 minutes of moderate to intensive physical activity per week. In addition, it is also necessary to integrate physical activity into daily life. Aids such as a pedometer can be an extra motivation to exercise more. Nutritional advice can help you eat healthily and control blood sugar levels and weight.

Also read: Can you get diabetes from eating too much sugar?

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Last updated: November 2023

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2023-11-27 23:03:27
#Diabetes #depression #worrying #duo #health.be