Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects approximately 1 in 11 adults worldwide, resulting in high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin secretion by the pancreas.

Meanwhile, mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being that impacts how they feel, think, act, and interact with others. While they may seem disconnected, mental health and diabetes are closely linked, with one influencing the other in a bidirectional manner. In this article, we explore the connection between mental health and diabetes, and how one can affect the other.

Diabetes and Mental Health Disorders

Studies have shown that people with diabetes are more likely to develop mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately one-third of all people with diabetes experience depression, with rates being higher in type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes. Depression is a severe medical condition that negatively impacts a person’s mood, thoughts, behavior, and physical health.

People with depression struggle with constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability, and worthlessness, which can exacerbate the stress and challenges of living with diabetes. Additionally, depression can worsen the symptoms of diabetes and increase the risk of complications such as cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney disease.

Anxiety disorders such as panic disorders, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are also common in people with diabetes.

Chronic diabetes management can be daunting, causing anxiety symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue. Moreover, people with diabetes frequently worry about the potential complications of the disease, which can heighten anxiety.

Eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are also more prevalent in people with diabetes compared to the general population.

While eating disorders are not a direct outcome of diabetes, they share common risk factors such as body dissatisfaction, self-esteem issues, and perfectionism, which can arise from living with a chronic illness such as diabetes.

The Influence of Mental Health on Diabetes Management

On the other hand, mental health disorders can negatively impact diabetes management, with people experiencing them facing significant challenges when it comes to self-care practices such as managing blood sugar levels, adhering to treatment plans, and healthy lifestyles. Psychological distress can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate wildly, as stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline drive up glucose levels.

Moreover, people who are depressed, anxious or have low self-esteem often lack motivation to engage in self-care practices, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and monitoring their blood sugar levels frequently.

How to Improve Mental Health and Diabetes Management

Improving both mental health and diabetes management requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves medical professionals, mental health professionals, family, and patients themselves.

Below are some strategies that can help improve mental health and diabetes management:.

Treat mental health disorders

People with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders should undergo psychotherapy and/or take prescribed medications to manage their symptoms.

Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help improve depressive symptoms, anxiety, and eating disorders by addressing negative thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions that contribute to these disorders.

Practice relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery, can help reduce stress, which in turn can stabilize blood sugar levels.

Additionally, these techniques can improve sleep and mood, further contributing to better mental health management.

Engage in regular physical activity

Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, aerobics, and strength training, can help improve physical and mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, boosting self-esteem, and preventing complications associated with diabetes.

People with diabetes should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Seek social support

Living with a chronic disease such as diabetes can be isolating and overwhelming. To overcome these challenges, people with diabetes should seek social support from family, friends, peers, and support groups.

Social support can provide practical and emotional coping strategies, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem.

Conclusion

Mental health and diabetes are closely intertwined, with mental health disorders negatively impacting the management of diabetes, and diabetes exacerbating the symptoms of mental health disorders.

Therefore, healthcare providers should consider screening for mental health disorders in people with diabetes and treating them accordingly. Additionally, people with diabetes should prioritize their mental health by seeking psychotherapy, engaging in relaxation techniques, regular physical activity, and seeking social support.

With a multidisciplinary approach, people with diabetes can improve their mental health and diabetes management, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.