Psychological issues, such as depression, can accompany diabetes.
Psychological issues, such as
depression, can accompany diabetes.

Diabetes, a chronic, lifelong illness, can leave you feeling sad, angry, frustrated, and generally out of sorts. These psychological issues can interfere with how you manage your diabetes. A person with diabetes who is distracted and distressed may not be able to attend to the many responsibilities that come with keeping blood sugar under control.

It's only in recent years that the medical community has recognized how psychological issues can affect diabetes. But the American Diabetes Association now recommends that physicians start asking patients questions about mental health at the time they are diagnosed with diabetes and continue to monitor the patient for signs of psychological problems as a way to reduce the risk of diabetes complications. So don't be surprised if your doctor asks you about your mental health.

If you feel burdened by your emotions, however, don't wait for your doctor to inquire about your state of mind. Your psyche may be suffering needlessly, and you may spare your body from the ravages of chronically elevated glucose. After all, studies have shown that psychological therapy helps people cope with their diabetes and improves their control over blood sugar levels.

Psychological issues commonly show up in the form of depression, anxiety and stress, and eating disorders. Learn more about these psychological complications that can accompany diabetes and ways to handle them, including mental health counseling, relaxation techniques, and/or medication.

Diabetes and Depression
Depression isn't uncommon for people with diabetes, but people who are diabetic and depressed tend to have worse control over their blood glucose levels, causing other complications. Learn more about diabetes and depression.

Diabetes and Anxiety
It's probably no surprise that having diabetes causes anxiety and stress. It can seem overwhelming at times to have to manage a chronic disease. Learn more about anxiety, including the symptoms and treatments.

Psychological Insulin Resistance
If managing diabetes without insulin doesn't work or no longer works, your doctor might prescribe insulin. However, many people resist this idea, sometimes even refusing to take insulin. This is called psychological insulin resistance. Learn more about this condition and the causes.

To learn more about diabetes in general, including diagnosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment, visit our main Diabetes page.

Suggestions for a Diabetic Diet
One of the most important aspects of treating and controlling diabetes is monitoring the food you take into your body. However, there may be more wiggle room than you think. To learn more about proper nutrition and diabetes, try the following links:
  • Our main Diabetic Diet page will show you which food groups are diabetes-friendly and which ones you should avoid.  
  • Visit our Diabetic Recipes page to find simple, delicious meals you can make that won't send our blood sugar into a tailspin.  

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.