Mental health challenges can pose obstacles to adhering to your diabetes care plan. Thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes can exert an influence on the proper functioning of the body’s systems. Left untreated, mental health issues can exacerbate diabetes, and conversely, diabetes-related problems can worsen mental health concerns.

Depression constitutes a medical condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and often a diminished interest in once-enjoyable activities. It can impede your ability to function effectively in both your professional and personal life, including the management of your diabetes. When diabetes is not well-controlled, the risk of complications such as heart disease and nerve damage increases. Individuals with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience depression than those without diabetes. Treatment options, including therapy, medication, or a combination of both, are typically highly effective. Without treatment, depression typically tends to worsen rather than improve.

Depression symptoms can vary in severity and may encompass:

• Experiencing feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Losing interest in previously cherished activities
• Either overeating or loss of appetite
• Disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia or excessive sleep
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Fatigue
• Feelings of hopelessness, irritability, anxiety, or guilt
• Physical symptoms like aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive issues
• Thoughts of self-harm or death

Stress and anxiety are additional mental health aspects to consider. Stress is an inherent part of life, arising from various sources like traffic congestion, family demands, or the daily routines of diabetes management. Stress hormones can lead to unpredictable fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and prolonged stress, particularly due to illness or injury, can elevate blood sugar levels and contribute to other health complications.

Anxiety involves feelings of worry, fear, or a persistent state of being on edge, often resulting from the demands of managing a chronic condition like diabetes. People with diabetes may experience a condition called diabetes distress, which shares some similarities with stress, depression, and anxiety. Unlike depression, diabetes distress can be linked back to causal factors related to diabetes, such as fear of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. External factors like family and societal support and health care services can also affect diabetes distress. While medication is typically not used to treat diabetes distress, experts suggest that improving diabetes management to reduce stress, talk therapy, and support groups can be helpful

If you suspect you may be experiencing depression, stress, or anxiety, it is crucial to promptly consult your healthcare provider to initiate the necessary treatment. Early intervention in the case of depression is particularly advantageous for your overall well-being, quality of life, and effective diabetes management.^31,32