Does Diabetes Affect Your Mood?
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community I'm 27 and have been diagnosed as type 1 diabetic for 10 years. I've seen a few articles and have heard that being diabetic can impact and affect your mood/emotions. I guess with being diagnosed at 17 I don't really have any way of comparing my mood/emotions from now to then as I was a teenager (probably hormonal Yes, Diabetes affects your mood but good glucose control helps lessen the impact of lows and highs on your mood. Very high blood glucose cam lead to irritability, lack of energy, and paradoxically giddiness in some. I giggle a lot when my BG is high and am sometimes very silly. Low blood glucose can have the same symptoms but tends to favor irritability and low energy. People with Type 1 tend to have tighter control and fewer symptoms of mood swings than people with Type 2. Depression is also found at higher rates in people with Diabetes than the general public. It is unclear whether the higher rate of Depression is due to uncontrolled BG or stress of having Diabetes or some other link between the two. Depression is over all low mood that does not change over several weeks. There is an additional effect of some antidepressants that raises blood glucose in some and so may contribute to developing Diabetes in those who are susceptible. Hope that helps. please ask more if yo need clarification. I guess I've never actually given much thought to how much being T1 impacts on even the simplest of things...My hubby has occassionaly mentioned that I can be a bit up and down, (laughing fits and tears) I've never really made the connection to my diabetes. I've always just pegged myself as an expressive emotional person I guess I've never actually given Continue reading >>
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Mood?
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and about 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed every year. Diabetes basically means having too much glucose in the blood. Glucose fuels your brain and muscles, but an excess of it can lead to serious health problems. Diabetes not only affects your body, it also affects your mind and mood. Here’s why, and what you can to do maintain positive mental health with diabetes. Coping with a Diagnosis A new diagnosis for diabetes, like any unexpected medical diagnosis, can be difficult to accept. It can add a big emotional weight. Some doctors see their patients go through a grieving period as they struggle to reconcile diabetes with their lifestyle. Diabetics must learn a new routine of treatment and monitoring that takes some adjustment. The transition to 24/7 life with diabetes can be stressful and affect your mood. If you feel extreme mood swings, consult with your doctor right away. Blood Sugar Fluctuations Fluctuations in your blood sugar, whether too high or too low, can be accompanied by mood swings as your body tries to cope. Too high. When blood sugar is too high, you may feel foggy-headed, faint, thirsty, or tired. It might not be your first thought that this is caused by your diabetes; it could just feel like a crabby mood. This is why it’s important to track your blood sugar. Too low. Low blood sugar can be accompanied by feelings of being mixed up, confused, unhappy, hungry, angry, irritable, shaky, or exhausted. Treat low blood sugar immediately using the methods suggested by your doctor. The Depression Connection Sometimes it’s not just “a bad mood,” but clinical depression. In fact, people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing depression. Although the exact link isn’t clearly understood, it’ Continue reading >>
Diabetic Mood Disorders
People today are familiar with diabetes, albeit broadly, and that it mainly consists of type 1 and type 2. That is merely the tip of the iceberg. Apart from it taking a serious toll on physical health, this disorder also can affect your emotions, which in turn can wreak havoc on your diabetes control. Extremes in blood-sugar levels can cause significant mood changes, and research suggests that frequent changes in blood-sugar levels also can affect mood and quality of life for those with diabetes. This includes depression due to diabetes and diabetic mood swings. Let’s learn more about this. DIABETIC MOOD DISORDERS CAUSES Evidence from the diabetes studies across the world also suggests that diabetes can disturb your mental health. It is known to be associated with various mood disorders given below. Depression Approximately 25% of Indian diabetics are found to have depression due to diabetes. Type II diabetics are up to 2 times more prone to develop major depression than general population. Depression due to diabetes further impacts its complications by causing alterations in hormones and glucose transport mechanism as well as increased activation of immune-inflammatory pathway. Anxiety Diabetics are over three times at higher risk for anxiety than the general population. Long term stress related to the presence of chronic illness like diabetes or short term stress due to self-care activities, needle phobia or fear of hypoglycaemia can predispose them to acute or chronic anxiety disorder. Anxiety in diabetics can be associated with poor sugar control. Delirium This is a condition characterized by altered sensorium or confusion and is linked to the acute episodes of hypoglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Cognitive dysfunction People with diabetes are at about one and Continue reading >>
Helping A Loved One With Diabetes
Diabetes can be a demanding disease to manage. People who have the condition must constantly watch what they eat, check their blood sugar levels regularly, and take medication to keep those levels steady. If you’re close to someone who has diabetes, there are ways you can help. Learn about the disease. There are lots of myths and wrong ideas about diabetes. For example, it’s not true that a major sweet tooth can lead to the condition, or that it’s unsafe for people who have it to exercise. Learn how diabetes works, how to prevent emergencies or complications, and other information so you can be useful. Maybe ask your loved one if you can tag along to a doctor’s appointment. Make it a team effort. A diabetes diagnosis is a chance for the whole household to start some healthy habits. Get everyone to get onboard with nutritious meals, quitting smoking, and staying active. Know when to step back. Remember that the person who has diabetes is responsible for managing it, not you. Don’t second-guess the care plan or try to police meals or snacks. Living with diabetes is hard work, and encouragement and support are better than unwanted advice or, worse, scolding. Help ease stress. Too much stress can raise blood sugar levels and make it harder to control diabetes. But managing the condition can be stressful. Encourage your loved one to talk about feelings and frustrations. Try things together like meditating, walking, gardening, or watching a funny movie. Expect mood swings. Swings in blood sugar can make someone jittery, confused, anxious, or irritable. Better blood sugar control can help avoid these ups and downs. Offer emotional support, and encourage your loved one to join a support group or talk about professional counseling if you think that might help. Talk ope Continue reading >>
What Cause Mood Swings In Diabetes
Stress that is associated with managing diabetes and concerns of any potential side effects can all contribute to mood changes. Moreover, the actual lows and highs of ones blood sugar level can also lead to anxiety, nervousness and confusion. It is important for diabetic patients to learn how to recognize their own symptoms of low or high blood sugar. It is also vital to seek immediate medical support concerning any mental health symptoms that they will experience. Why Diabetes and Mood Swings Go Together? Diabetes can affect one’s mood in so many ways: Managing diabetes can be stressful as you end up getting worried constantly about your blood sugar, if it is going to too high or too low. Making adjustments to your diet as well as checking the blood sugar constantly can also cause more stress. Thus, diabetes patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Blood sugar swings can lead to rapid changes in a person’s mood. At times, a patient can get irritable and sad. This is especially important in the event of hypoglycemic episodes, wherein the blood sugar level can dip too low. If one’s level of blood sugar levels return to normal range, the symptoms will most likely go away. As a matter of fact, mood changes as well as mental status are the first signs that one’s level of blood sugar is not right. Effects of Diabetes on Mental Health As mentioned, people suffering from diabetes are at high risk of suffering from depression. Being a serious condition of the mental health, depression can make a person to feel hopeless in life, have low bouts in energy and lose interest in some activities. In the worst-case scenarios, depression can make a person to feel as if life is not actually worth living. Diagnosis of diabetes can also make a person feel dep Continue reading >>
Are Diabetics Angry...?
(See Also: Diabetes and Anger -- Is there a Deeper Connection?) This angry diabetic has been really bewildered for the past few weeks with many new and personal challenges... As we know, life's problems do not stop at diabetes, or any other chronic illness, nor do they care if we're having to juggle other things. In fact, in the storm of life... sometimes when it rains, it just pours. (I need to buy a raincoat.) So, I thought... why not take a little time to address a common, and often overlooked, issue with diabetes? Anger. In the past few weeks, my blog has registered many, many Google searches for "anger and diabetes," "do diabetics suffer from anger," "do diabetics need anger management," etc. I fear many of these folks might be family members really wanting to understand, and care for their loved ones... or maybe folks just wanting to understand themselves a little better. Before I get a little further into the discussion, I want to add that while the emotions we experience through the ups and downs of illness, and life, are perfectly normal... this blog post is in NO WAY a justification for aggression, violence, or abuse. It might be an EXPLANATION of a course of events, but in the end... we are responsible for our own selves, and how we manage our health, and our emotions. Got that? Okay... :) Diabetes is a PERVASIVE disease... Now, in order to make some of kind of sense of the emotions a person with diabetes might feel, we need to understand one thing: Diabetes is a PERVASIVE life change. It is one of the most pervasive life changes an 'afflicted' person will ever have to face. While it may not seem as such in the beginning stages (especially for type 2, and often during a "honeymoon phase" for a type 1), with time, an individual will soon become painfully aware Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Mood Swings: Effects On Relationships
Diabetes is a condition that impacts the way a person's body uses sugar for energy. However, diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. It can impact nearly every body system and have an effect on a person's mood. Stress associated with managing diabetes as well as concerns about potential side effects can all contribute to changes in mood. In addition, the actual highs and lows of blood sugar levels may also cause nervousness, anxiety, and confusion. It is important for people to recognize their own individual symptoms of high or low blood sugar. They must also ensure they seek support for any concerning mental health symptoms they might experience. Watching these mood swings can often be difficult for friends and family to understand. However, learning why a person may experience mood changes related to diabetes and being supportive can help to promote a stronger, healthier relationship. Contents of this article: How do diabetes and mood swings go together? Diabetes can have many effects on a person's mood. For example, managing diabetes can be stressful. A person may be constantly worried about their blood sugar and whether it is too high or too low. Adjustments to their diet and constantly checking their blood sugar can also add to a person's stress and enjoyment of life. As a result, they are more likely to experience feelings of anxiety and depression. Blood sugar swings can cause rapid changes in a person's mood, such as making them sad and irritable. This is especially true during hypoglycemic episodes, where blood sugar levels dip lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Hyperglycemic episodes where levels spike higher than 250 mg/dL may cause confusion in people with type 1 diabetes, but are much less likely to in those with type 2 diabetes. When a pe Continue reading >>
Can Diabetes Affect My Mood?
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am on two different types of insulin, NovoLog and Levemir (insulin detemir). Can diabetes have any bearing on mood swings or sudden “bad mood episodes”? Continue reading >>
Emotions & Blood-sugar Levels: How Diabetes Can Affect Your Mood
All July, the Joslin Blog is highlighting stories about taking care of yourself emotionally. This story was originally posted on Feb. 18, 2011. This guest post is written by by John Zrebiec, L.I.C.S.W., Director of Behavioral Health at Joslin, and Gail Musen, Ph.D., Investigator in the Section on Clinical, Behavioral & Outcomes Research. Diabetes can affect both your physical and mental health. A diagnosis of diabetes certainly adds a huge emotional weight, which can often manifest as depression, anxiety or some other emotional issue. The same goes for the stress of managing diabetes 24/7. Recently, Joslin researchers discovered a link between high levels of glutamate (a neurotransmitter in the brain that is produced by glucose) to symptoms of depression in people with type 1 diabetes. The study showed increased levels of glutamate in the prefrontal area of the brains of such people — an area associated with both higher-level thinking and regulation of emotions. At the same time, the study showed a link between high levels of glutamate and poor glucose control, , and lower scores on some cognitive tests. We believe that if health care practitioners emphasize good glucose control, it may help reduce the probability that patients with diabetes will also become depressed. Clinical depression is more than the normal response of feeling down for a couple of hours or days. It is more dramatic — taking you down further and longer. A psychologist would diagnose clinical depression if a patient has five or more of these symptoms for at least two weeks. At least one of these symptoms has to be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty) most of the day, nearly every day Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, a Continue reading >>
How Diabetes Causes Mood Swings (and What To Do About It)
Diabetes Mood Swings: The Roller Coaster You Don’t Want to Ride All of a sudden you feel it: your teeth are clenched, your blood is boiling and you wonder if people can see the smoke coming out your ears. Is it possible that type 2 diabetes caused this sudden mood change? Yes. Not only can diabetes be responsible for mood changes, but it can take a toll on your emotions in general. From anger to depression to anxiety, diabetes can take you across a spectrum of feelings. This roller coaster can leave you just plain exhausted. Let’s take a look first at the feelings and possible causes and then at some ways to cope. Anger A common feeling, whether you’ve just been diagnosed or had diabetes for years, is anger. Not only are many diabetics angry at being diagnosed with the disease and ask “Why me?” but they are also made to feel guilty that their own lifestyle choices have led them to this diagnosis. This can build up and start to cause resentment problems in the relationships with those that may not be as supportive as they could be. Depression There are many reasons those of us with diabetes can feel depressed. With a diabetes diagnosis comes the need for many lifestyle changes — and that is not an easy task. If you are someone who never really paid attention to what you ate and didn’t have a set exercise routine, you will find the new requirements of counting carbs and getting some exercise in to be a bit daunting at first. Many people will also be unhappy with having to take medicines and the fact that these medicines may have unwanted side effects such as sexual dysfunction and digestion issues. The burden alone of the daily management of diabetes can be a cause of depression. Anxiety Anxiety is also common among people with a chronic illness such as diab Continue reading >>
Are People With Diabetes More Prone To Aggression?
Relationship Between Blood Glucose Level and Self-Control Blood sugar can make people do crazy things. According to a recent scientific study on the link between low blood glucose level and relationship clashes (Bushman et al, 2014), being hungry makes an individual generally cranky and act more hostile to others. In the study, couples who are hungry tend to have a much higher tendency to exhibit aggression towards each other and become more impulsive in their reactions. This phenomenon is often referred to “hangry” (meaning feeling angry when you are hungry). If this irritable state can happen to any healthy person who experiences a change in their blood glucose level, imagine the ordeals individuals with diabetes frequently go through on a daily basis. However, do not jump to the conclusion that diabetes leads to aggression. In fact, scientists find a more direct correlation between blood glucose level and self-control. I recommend reading the following articles: In a way, you can visualize self-control as a muscle that requires a lot of energy to sustain so that it does not become ineffective quickly. This energy source comes from the glucose in the blood. So what kind of activities can wear out this “muscle”? Any daily activities that require self-discipline such as forcing yourself to get out of bed early to exercise, resisting from having a soda drink or another cookie with your meal, stopping yourself from smoking, dealing with stressful situations at work and at home, and abstaining yourself from road rage. As you can see, self-control plays a crucial part in restraining inappropriate and aggressive behaviors. So when people are low in glucose, the self-control mechanism cannot function properly to prevent these outbursts of hostile actions. In a researc Continue reading >>
Can Diabetes Affect Your Mood?
My husband has type 2 diabetes, which is now being controlled by medicine. I find that he is sometimes particularly irritable or even mean, which is very out of character for him. Is this common with type 2 diabetes, or with high or low readings? — Sally, Florida It is great that you are seeking a better understanding of your husband’s illness. Diabetes is a disease that not only affects individuals but also those close to them. As a result, those who have good family support in the care of their diabetes do much better in managing their illness. There are a few reasons for behavioral changes like those you see in your husband among people with diabetes. One is the effect of abnormally low glucose levels in the bloodstream. The other reason is depression, which can be triggered by the diagnosis of diabetes, the burden of daily management, and fear of complications. Low glucose levels can cause symptoms including impaired judgment, anxiety, moodiness, belligerence, fatigue, apathy, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, and a lack of coordination. I would advise your husband to check his sugar levels at the times when he is irritable. If his mood is indeed due to low glucose levels, the symptoms will improve if he raises his blood sugar, for example, by drinking orange juice or taking glucose tablets. It is also important to consult with his doctor to adjust his medicines or dietary intake. On the other hand, your husband’s irritability can be a manifestation of depression. Many people with depression are undiagnosed and thus do not receive the necessary counseling and treatment. Also, depression symptoms vary from person to person, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Signs such as lack of sleep, overeating or lack of appetite, poor concentration, and other sym Continue reading >>
Good Mood/bad Mood – How Does It Affect Your Diabetes?
Most people have good or bad moods, depending on what is happening in their lives. When you have diabetes, it can have an impact on your mental and physical health. Discover how good and bad moods may affect your diabetes control. When you are diagnosed with diabetes it can add a huge amount of stress to your life. This can turn into anxiety, depression or other emotional issues. It is difficult to manage a chronic disease like diabetes, full-time. Researchers have also found a connection between glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain produced by glucose, and symptoms of depression in patients with type 1 diabetes. Proper glucose control may help ward off feelings of depression. Ongoing feelings of depression should be reported to your doctor. Clinical depression is usually diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. A diagnosis of clinical depression involves five or more symptoms for two weeks or longer. These symptoms may include sad or empty feelings, diminished interest or pleasure, significant weight loss or gain, difficulty sleeping, feelings of sluggishness or agitation, fatigue, inability to concentrate, a feeling of worthlessness and/or recurring thoughts of death or suicide. Highs and low blood sugar levels can have a serious impact on mood changes when you have diabetes. Referred to as “glycemic variability”, these highs and lows can have an impact on mood and quality of life. A common sign of low blood sugar is agitation. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and record the results to share them with your doctor during routine visits. Report extreme highs or lows to your health care team immediately. Take medications correctly. If you are traveling or changing your schedule, contact your doctor to update your medication schedule. Low blood sugar occur Continue reading >>
Dealing With Emotions: How Diabetes Can Affect Your Mood
Having type 2 diabetes can affect not only your physical health but also your emotional health. Getting a diagnosis of diabetes adds an emotional weight onto your shoulders which can be challenging to carry day in and day out. Sometimes this weight can come out as other conditions such as anxiety or depression. There are multiple studies that have shown that external stressors, such as feelings of anxiety or depression, can lead to difficulties in managing self-care. Decreased physical activity, bad food choices, not regularly taking medication are some examples of poor self-care management. Anxiety and stress can lead one to taking up bad habits such as smoking or drinking excessively, which can put a person with diabetes at more risk for developing diabetes related complications. The Grief of Diagnosis When you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may notice that you start to experience a grieving process. Many people experience the same emotions associated with the loss of a loved one. When you consider the diagnosis of diabetes, it changes your life, you have lost something and you’ve lost your normal carefree life that you had before. These common emotions are explained in more detail below as well as various the ways you can learn to control these emotions or even overcome them. Common Emotions of Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires diligent almost 24/7 management. Sometimes this type of schedule can seem like a burden. When this happens, other common emotions or conditions may manifest, causing even more difficulty in managing your blood sugar levels. Stress Stress is one of the most common emotions associated with having type 2 diabetes. Just the constant daily regimen of testing, ensuring you’re taking your medications and monitoring y Continue reading >>
Is Anger At A Spouse Normal With Diabetes?
You may be wondering if anger is a normal part of dealing with diabetes. Is it normal for someone with type 1 diabetes to erupt into violent anger and take it out on his or her partner? Frustration and anger are often experienced by people who deal with chronic illnesses like diabetes. Fluctuating blood glucose levels can also contribute to mood swings and cause people to exhibit angry behavior. But when does that kind of anger cross the line into domestic abuse? Anger Can Be a Part of Chronic Illness Anger and frustration can be common reactions when someone has a chronic disease like diabetes. It's a lot to cope with, and at times it may really be upsetting to have to deal with diabetes day after day for a lifetime. Plus, physiologically, when someone's blood sugar fluctuates, spikes, or drops, it can produce feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression that are really out of the control of the person experiencing them. Your partner's diabetes may make it easier for you to overlook or make excuses for angry reactions, which is okay to an extent. However, anger that escalates into physical, verbal, or emotional abuse is not a normal reaction. When Anger Becomes Abuse Every person has a right to get angry sometimes, but if that anger is expressed violently to hurt or scare you, then it becomes domestic abuse. Abuse can be actual physical contact, like hitting, slapping, pushing, or otherwise inflicting bodily harm, but it can also be threatening, belittling, or making you feel intimidated or scared. What to Do If You're Struggling With Diabetes and Anger If you have diabetes and anger is a problem for you, whether it's because you're angry that you have the condition or because you have frequent blood sugar fluctuations, try these methods to cope: Take good care of yoursel Continue reading >>
