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Type 2 Diabetes and Depression

Hi,

Depression can be a big problem or for some a small one, I was diagnosed with it 12 years ago but I'm convinced I had the beginings of it from aged eight. I'm on anti-depressants which helps to take the edge off, but mines a long term problem. Yours sounds as its relatively new and only started with the diabetes diagnosis, if this is the case take heart, for there are many anti-depressants your Gp could offer you to try, sometimes its just a case of taking them for a short while like six months to get you over this hurdle until you take control of your diabetes fully and feel you can cope once more. For some counceling or just talking to someone who understands is enough but it does depend on the cause of the issue. My old psychiatric nurse used to say that it takes as many years that your depressed to recover from it, I often think if thats the case then I'll be in my grave before I'm cured! Yours sounds a lot more optimistic.

Please enquire at your practice surgery about seeing another doctor, at mine you can see anyone that you request it dosen't have to be the one your registered with. If thats not the case at yours I suggest you consider moving to another surgery which everyone has the right to do.

Good luck
 
I think I have had a low grade depression on and off during my life but recently felt I was having low sluggish states in response to my metformin which I don't tolerate too well. I have settled for controlling my diabetes with a low carb diet, slow release insulin which I take at bedtime, sticking at 100mg of metformin slow release at least half an hour after my last meal early evening. This seems to help the metformin was stopping me eating regularly as I didn't feel hungry and this was putting my day out of sinc and I would feel hungry late on, I am mostly going to bed earlier - I wasn't getting enough sleep, this definitely makes a difference. My dog helps by getting me out for walks every day and I have different activities including yoga that I take part in. Not allowing myself to sit too long and making myself get up and do something if it is only something small helps as does music. I use deep breathing and relaxation techniques too. So I suppose I am saying find patterns and food that suits you and break your day week up. Don't set yourself up to fail - be nice to yourself.
 
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Hi, My outlook on depression is not medical. I have observed my own depression over many years and came to the conclusion that the cause lies lies in my thought process. I have found that if my thoughts are less orientated towards myself and my problems then I have a better view of the world.
If I wake feeling ****** then I have probably had dreams concerning my situation. When I stop the thought process which has caused my poor self esteem then the depression (self absorption) is lessened. To control ones thoughts, especially those of which one is not aware (sub conscious) is most difficult but it is the ONLY way that I have found any success.
Medication may alleviate the symptoms but it does not treat the cause. In my case the cause was that I questioned the meaning of life - especially my miserable life. However when I realised that the cause of my depression was in my own thoughts then I could seek out a solution. I found that when I went to work and my thought pattern was forced to change - I was forced to think about things other than my miserable condition - then the depression reduced. When I returned home I found that if I kept myself occupied then I did not have the time to be concerned with myself, thus hobbies and TV.
This was not an easy path as for me to understand that I am the cause of my own condition goes against modern medicine. Modern medicine attempts to resolve all conditions with a pill. Unfortunately I do not believe that the thought process should be interfered with using medicine, I believe that I am the principle cause of my life and I try to behave accordingly.
This is simply my outlook on life and it has improved my ability to exist in this world. Perhaps it could work for you.
I hope that you learn to deal with your depression and would strongly recommend that you look into the cause.
All the very best, Chris
 
oaklandsraider said:
Last time I raised the issue with my GP he said '..that's something you'll have to live with like many others do",
Click to expand...
That is ridiculous! I was told as soon as I was diagnosed that depression is often part and parcel of Diabetes and that I would automatically get my depression medication re-subscribed (I was taking it before diagnosis). However, since then my current diabetes GP keeps asking if I want to come off it - I tell him to back off in no uncertain terms! Depression can take quite a while to get better and I have found the thought of dealing with my Diabetes without the depression medication a daunting thought. I would try to see a different doctor or change practice if they wont deal with this.
I found walking quite therapeutic and borrow my neighbour's dog for nice long walks!
Good luck, don't be fobbed off, you should get this sorted. x
 

I am taking vitamin D and iron vitamin mixture as a help. Depression seems linked to so many things and is a pain in the neck .....I try to see people at least once a week and get out and about....I need to go swimming too once a week as I believe exercise is important in combating depression. I have just begun to give up my antidepressants as I think they are making me so so tired and then it is harder to combat depression. Our two labradoodles are so good too - they give you cuddles and love and then exercise because oyu have to walk them !!!
 
I just wanted to add I was recommended by a friend who is a nurse that I needed to take complex B vitamins as I could suffer from depression due to trying to stick to a low carb way of eating -- I would add I do suffer from bouts of depression and have done for many years because I refused medication I am left to sort myself out - I know lack of daylight is one issue so I do tend to suffer at this time of year - I have learnt to do some form of hobby - right now it is crocheting - I try to keep busy and I do exercise.

Hope that helps some what.
 

yes Mist
and the unhealthy aspect of just focussing on ones depession seems to also be a way to prolong it... it is more helpfull not to **** a hole deeper and deeper by just focussing more and more of the negative aspects of ones life..
meditation is good because it actually train the brain into a lower level of anxiety and to prefer lower level of waves in the electricity of the brain...
people really doing meditation in many years do often have brain waves that are deeper than deep sleep , which mean that their meditation is super recreational

there are those painting boolets where grown-ups can color the fabulous patterns and pictures and those are a more easy step into a meditation like style

like these : https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books-Coloring-Grown-Ups/zgbs/books/11357541011
 

if you can do take fish oil capsuels or eat a lot of fatty fish daily, it is the kind of fats the brain is made of mostly and therefor it helps the brain to relax when it gets enough of ist prefered oils/fats..
 

I agree. Meditation can be difficult at first, especially if you have body related anxiety, but with regular practice it can do wonderful things.

Guided meditation courses like "Headspace" are great for starting out as you are guided through the various steps.

I always try to find time to find a quiet place and just spend ten minutes to sit and listen.
 

yes you are a bright guy... !
sometimes also the reason for mental problems but at the same time maybe also the reason you can find more effective sollutions.. the most important in meditating is I guess doing it steadily...

which is where I fail...I am not really good at anything one must do in the same way every day.. and then I end up being a person that needs to track almost everything I do... and eat pills more time of the day.. how nice is that ? :***:
 
but you are right Mist about suggesting those guided meditations
one can buy them on CD... and actually also can find a lot of on youtube.. and just try the different kinds there ...

<iframe width="854" height="480" src=" " frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=guided+meditation+deep+relaxation+



but would of cause be good to have some recomended from an experienced meditator...
 


Hi oaklandraider,

I should not have depression and anxiety because I have been on psychiatric drugs for most of my life. When I first became diagnosed with diabetes, my mood was not that bad and consistent with my drugs. However, as the years went by, the complications of diabetes created more and more depression. And I can only guess that the daily routine of vigilance and care, necessary in fatigue has made diabetes cause depression and has become a part of diabetes. I find that if you want to increase your mood, you might avoid high blood sugar. and take walks. Take care.
 
 
As the partner of a type 1 who was diagnosed 18 years ago and suffers from depression my heart goes out to anyone in this situation. My partner has been unable to work continuously due to diabetes and other health issues so at weekends we have started visiting old churches using an excellent book about Englands 1000 best churches by a Simon Jenkins (not an ad!). We have also done a number of church visits with genealogy interest around the country. He spends the week planning our next route and at the weekend when I'm not working, we then find a local hostelry for coffee and somewhere for lunch, usually old inns or pubs, and take in the historical side of the churches along the route. We have had some wonderful times and look forward to some decent weather so we can continue our jaunts. Sadly the winter months do add to the depression.
 
I was diagnosed T2 3 years ago and found learning to deal with it has been very hard. I was depressed before the diagnosis through life problems that i still believe i deserve whatever happens to me. To get through the days i did a Mindfulness course by the Monash university. its online and free. The course taught me how to exist in the moment which does help me sometimes. Depression like Diabetes is an invisible illness that hurts. Some days i want to feel better but other days i think this is me so just grit your teeth girl and get on with it. I get up. go to work and pretend each day that im ok. I lost my son 2 years ago. im not a whole person. never will be.
 
To be honest I have become extremely depressed over the last monthly. My diet is not great and I haven't been taking my meds. I am in constant pain since going on stating even though my cholesterol levels are in range. Since then I have had a heart scan but they couldn't do an angiogram because my heart rate is constantly over 100bpm. I am so fed up of feeling this way. I am even on meds for depression but they don't seem to help.
 
I find that I go through cycles of depression without really being aware of it until I feel quite bad. For me, it is directly tied to my blood sugar control. A few months ago, after a conversation with my doctor, I realized that I was feeling bad ALL the time. I've since gotten control of my sugars and am doing much better. The problem is that the toll diabetes takes is insidious. It can always creep up on you if you lose awareness and its hard to stay aware. As for meditative practices, I find tai chi helpful. You have my sympathy and I am sending good thoughts your way.
 
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