Diabetes and Depression

07/10/08 Type II Diabetes

Living with the challenges of type 2 diabetes can get you down from time to time. However, it’s possible you may also have a clinical depression.

Type 2 diabetics experience double the rate of depression than the general population, according to the results of a three year study published in the June 18, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Even more interesting was the findings of those with diagnosed depression are at greater risk for developing diabetes.

It is important to note there are significant differences in depression diagnoses. Reactive depression, or the emotional response to a situation, is generally not a pathological condition. For example, losing a job or a loved one, is something that would normally cause sadness. Clinical depression, which is the kind this study is referring to, has a pathologic origin. Pathologic means the cause is due to a disease process.

Further research must identify whether those type 2 diabetics with depression were depressed before their diabetes diagnosis. Depressed individuals frequently lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight, consume high calorie diets, and often smoke—all of which are high risk factors for diabetes.

There were abnormalities most frequently seen in depressed diabetics, like high blood pressure as well as indications of kidney damage.

The more than 6,800 participants were between 45 and 85 years old, and were Caucasian, Hispanic, Black, or Chinese. That would seem to indicate age and ethnicity had little to do with the results.

Every participant in the study was treated for the disease. Untreated diabetes can lead to mental instability. That should come as no surprise to anyone who has experienced dangerously high glucose levels and ketoacidosis.

If you have symptoms of depression, it would be best to speak to your physician because help is available.

Corie Richter is a nurse and physician's assistant who started her career as a health educator. The survivor of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and partially successful quadruple bypass surgery, she did not let her health challenges hamper her. Neither the limitations of spinal surgery nor of diabetes have deterred her from a mission of service. She now encourages others through writing and speaking engagements to master their disabilities through education and a proactive attitude.