Individuals with diabetes are known to be more prone to depression, and the inverse is true as well. Some studies estimate that as many as a third of diabetics suffer from a clinically relevant depressive disorder. While researchers do not exactly understand why this is the case, there are a few possibilities for the occurrence of this unfortunate relationship. Since this mental illness is often prevalent in individuals with diabetes, it is important to understand what exactly depression is, and how it can be best dealt with.
Psychiatry has greatly advanced in recent decades, allowing us to better understand and treat many disorders that individuals suffer. Nonetheless, depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is still a major public health problem that afflicts an estimated 6.7% of the U.S. adult population. As with many other mental illnesses, it can have a debilitating effect on individuals and lower their quality of life. A few signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder include: irritability, constant fatigue, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite, lack of interest in once enjoyed activities and frequent body pains that do not ease with treatment.
Diabetes can be a cause of depression in a variety of ways. Simply having to manage this disease on a daily basis can make one feel overwhelmed and anxious. The additional side effects that come with diabetes, along with an increased chance of developing other health complications puts individuals in a pessimistic state of mind, causing them to feel hopeless and unable to control their situation.
As studies have shown, diabetics that already have major depressive disorder will struggle more than others in trying to preserve or enhance their wellbeing. Likewise, if one already has depression, they are at a significantly higher risk for developing diabetes for similar reasons. The bleak outlook caused by this mental illness ultimately makes it difficult for one to be motivated in taking care of their health.
Many websites will often recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or anti-depressants in order to deal with major depressive disorder. While we here at Diabetv believe that both of these can be very effective, and encourage our readers to explore them as possibilities to deal with depression, our focus has always been on nutrition, exercise and personal habits. As such, we will go over those topics primarily in this post.
Some of our readers may already be aware from our previous articles on unsaturated fats that omega 3 is crucial for mental health. This is because these fatty acids are known to increase the effectiveness of serotonin in the brain; a chemical thought to be responsible for stabilizing mood.
The best source of omega 3, especially if one is looking to improve mental health comes from seafood. Atlantic salmon, sardines, trout and krill oil are all excellent sources of these unsaturated fats. Vegetarian or vegan options include either seaweed or algae supplements. As for beverages, water should be your main drink of choice, as it is known that dehydration can worsen or cause symptoms often attributed to mental illness. Essential vitamins one should focus on getting are vitamin B and vitamin D. The former can be found in most types of whole grains, beans and vegetables. The latter is a bit more difficult, since vitamin D mainly comes from the sun, but supplements can be taken for it as well.
Foods which should be avoided are sweets and simple carbs, which are known to cause mood swings when consumed. Caffeine is also thought to repress serotonin in the brain, and for this reason must be ingested carefully by individuals with mental illness or avoided at all if possible.
Exercise is crucial because not only does it promote the production of serotonin, but it releases chemicals known as endorphins which cause feelings of elation. Physical activity is also important because along with combatting mental illness, it is effective in reliving many symptoms caused by diabetes, or event preventing the development of the disease in the first place. While most forms of exercise function fine, we recommend swimming above most, especially for those who are diabetic. This is because it is a form of physical activity which is both intensive, but at the same time gentle on the body, which is perfect for individuals that have problems with neuropathy.
Regards,
Dr.Hemapriya Jayapal
Senior Psychologist Psychotherapist Hypnotherapist
ADG-National Crime Investigation Bureau,
Medico-Legal Director- Forensic Dept at Supreme Court
Director-Women Protection Cell,
National Legal Advisor and Principal Secretary of IPMA IPW PWHRC
Legal Advisor at TUJ, Public Vigilance Council
CEO – Nirnay Consulting Services
Dr HemaKarthik 