link between diabetes and anxiety

Table of Contents

• ● Diabetes and Mental Health: A Brief Overview
• ● The Link Between Diabetes and Depression
• ● How High Blood Sugar Affects Your Mood and Mental Health
• ● Stress and diabetes
• ● Tips for Managing Your Blood Sugar and Mental Health Simultaneously
• ● Takeaway
• ● FAQs

Diabetes and Mental Health: A Brief Overview

The connection between mental health and diabetes has been under the radar for a long time. While
the physical impact of diabetes is well-known, the connection between diabetes and mental health is less understood. The relationship is reciprocal; several drugs used to treat mental health disorders can increase the potential risks of diabetes, on the other hand, lifestyle management in diabetes leaves you mentally exhausted.

Diabetologists must take their patient’s; mental health into account. This can help identify potential mental health problems early and guarantee that patients get the support they need to manage their physical and psychological health.

What is the connection Between Diabetes and Depression

Studies support a bidirectional relationship between the complications of diabetes and depression.

According to studies, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can increase the risk of developing diabetic complications like diabetic retinopathy (difficulties affecting the eyes) and diabetic nephropathy (complications affecting the kidneys). On the other hand, diabetes complications raise the possibility of significant depression, anxiety, or stress symptoms, and loneliness due to ongoing poor health and dietary restrictions.

The processes that lead to this link between mental health and diabetes are:

• ● Depression often leads to indiscipline life, like poor diet control, irregular medicine intake, smoking, sedentary days and a regular bingeing of high-calorie foods. These will negatively impact glycemic control, which is linked to a higher risk of complications.
• ● The burden and suffering associated with diabetes cause depression and mood changes.
• ● Poor endothelial function (the altered functioning of the inner lining of the blood vessels) due to cholesterol deposition has been linked to depression and diabetes, increasing the risk of heart diseases.
• ● The prescribed drugs for diabetes may have side effects that worsen diabetes and its associated complications.

How High Blood Sugar Affects Your Mood and Mental Health ?

Fluctuations in blood sugar levels bring about mood changes with them. The culprit that throws your mood entirely out of whack may be both high and low sugar levels.

Here are a few mood swings that indicate a low sugar level:
● Confusion, and anxiety
● Hunger and irritability
● Tiredness and exhaustion

Here are a few mood swings that indicate a high sugar level:
● Thirst and dehydration
● Anger and intense feelings
● Nervousness
● Clouded judgment

If you are a diabetic and have similar mood changes often, you should consider visiting a diabetologist for a consultation.

Stress and diabetes

The stress of managing diabetes and a healthy lifestyle can get overwhelming at times. It leads to something called “diabetes burnout.” This acquired stress can worsen diabetes by fluctuating blood sugar levels.

Stress can cause your blood sugar levels to rise and occasionally drop. These fluctuations can ultimately cause mood swings.

It is mandatory to recognize symptoms of stress, mood swings, and depression in diabetes in order to seek help.

Tips for Managing Your Blood Sugar and Mental Health Simultaneously

There are numerous ways to facilitate diabetes management and lessen your risk of going through mood swings, stress, depression, or another mental health condition.

You can try the following options and remain stress-free:

● Be regular with diabetes medicines.

Stop stressing over medicine timing and doses. Use your smartphone and set up an alarm system and a monthly calendar that will be your assistant in managing diabetes.

● Diabetes-friendly diet plan.

Stress does not mean you binge eat. If you are a family member of a diabetes patient suffering from anxiety, then keep an eye on his eating habits. You need to prevent them from night snacking and sugar treats.

● Regular exercise and physical activities

There is no alternative to this. Use smart gadgets like smartphones and fitness bands as workout planners to motivate yourself. Equip yourself with yoga mats, resistance bands, and weights to perform quick workouts at home. Online yoga sessions are also an amazing way to rejuvenate your mental health and manage diabetes.

● Blood glucose monitoring

Pay attention to high and low readings. If necessary, keep track of any unusual readings and inform your doctor. If your readings fall outside of the expected range, try out methods to raise or lower your blood sugar.

● Stress management

According to experts, you should search for patterns. Consider your stress level each time you log your blood sugar levels and see if a trend develops. If a pattern emerges, you can learn to recognize the symptoms of stress and take steps to reduce your blood sugar and avoid stress. Working with a professional to learn relaxation and coping mechanisms may be necessary.

● Therapy

Therapy is a very beneficial form of treatment that is beneficial to both those with and without mental health issues. The four main areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness are the focus of therapy.

Family therapy fosters improved communication, conflict resolution, and family dynamics.

Family therapy is frequently used to treat eating disorders and mental health. Psychological counselling has two parts: The cognitive component aims to create empowering beliefs about your life. The behavioural component teaches you how to make better decisions.

Takehome

Diabetes is multifaceted, and it comes with multiple physical and mental health complications. Maintain your management plan and maintain healthy blood sugar levels to reduce your risk of mental health conditions. Never be afraid to ask for help with your diabetes treatment or to talk about your mental health with family, friends, or a mental health professional.

FAQs

Q. How can I control my blood sugar and anxiety?

To control fluctuant blood sugar levels and related anxiety do the following:
1. Eat a diet that is rich in proteins, fibers and micronutrients.
2. Cut down on refined sugars
3. Have fruits with less sugar content like citrus fruits
4. Go for a 30-minute walk daily.
5. Perform breathing exercises that calm your mind.

Q. Can high blood sugar cause depression and anxiety?
Yes, high blood sugar levels, alter the blood supply to the different body parts. It alters sensory
activities in the brain. This leads to anxiety, nervousness and sweating.

Q. Can self-help books reduce anxiety?
Self-help books are a great source of inspiration for diabetics and mental health issues. It is self-
motivating and enlightening. Reading is healing in nature.