People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.
As I sit here and think about my own life, I remember how complicated mental health is. Life is like a roller coaster. It goes up and down, twists and turns in ways you don’t expect. Every day brings its own set of problems, and it’s no secret that the stress can be too much to handle. The connection between diabetes and mental health is going to be the focus of this blog post in honor of European Mental Health Week, which is taking place this week, 22-28 may 2023.
In the realm of mental health, there is a hidden fight that doesn’t get much attention: the battle that people with diabetes face. It’s a journey that involves both the physical and emotional parts of their lives, and it takes a lot of strength and determination to get through it. When I think about the ups and downs of life, I can’t help but notice the unique problems that people with diabetes face. Constantly checking their blood sugar levels, carefully limiting what they can eat, and taking medicine or insulin become part of their daily lives. Their mental health can be affected by the weight of these responsibilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzaVCXoXoKw
The constant nature of the condition, the feeling of being “different,” and the difficult self-care routines can all make a person feel alone and upset. Having diabetes can cause a lot of anxiety, or mental stress. Emotional stress and burnout can be caused by having to handle things all the time, being afraid of problems, and having to adapt to changes in life. People with diabetes already have to deal with a lot of problems every day, but the weight of this load can make things worse.
- People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.
- Only 25-50% of people living with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated for it.
It’s all right to ask for help. Life changes us all. Therapy helps us deal with our feelings, learn how to deal with problems, and gain important insights. When we face our problems and get help, we become stronger, more stable, and more at peace with ourselves. Diabetes and mental health are tied together in a way that can’t be separated, so education and understanding are very important. By putting the focus on this connection, we build a caring and supportive environment.
World Diabetes Foundation, click to help
More knowledge about diabetes?
https://idf.org/our-network/regions-members/europe/europe-news/521-speak-up-for-mental-health-because-everyone-deserves-access-to-mental-health-care.html
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/mental-health.html#:~:text=People%20with%20diabetes%20are%202,often%20gets%20worse%2C%20not%20better.
https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/mental-health
Very interesting post, I didn’t know that people with diabetes are more likely to have depression. Good to know!
Thanks for your comment! It’s true, people with diabetes are more likely to experience depression. Managing a chronic condition like diabetes can be challenging and impact mental health. It’s important to be aware of this connection and seek support if needed.
Very good post! One of my close friends talks with me sometimes about how it affects his mental health and you can even see it from his behaviours.