Would we have depression if we were not diabetics?

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Permalink Reply by lev on March 16, 2009 at 7:33pm

i do not think that there is any doubt that there is a connection between diabetes and depression. and i think intensive management accentuates it. the chemicals in your head respond to sugar, the quickest way to a chemical imbalance (and i hate that term) is to mess up the sugar content of your blood. i think that your body can adjust to what ever we throw at it, so long as it is consistent. start throwing those numbers up and down... you've created something. my wife is on the verge of leaving me because of depression. she says "you are not the same person i married" i was 19 then and i am turning 40 now.. we now have 4 children ages 18, 15, 13, and 8 all but the 13 year old are t1... add that to the chemical screwiness that is going on, and it will quickly look as though there is no hope... so i agree, there would be no depression here without diabetes....

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on March 18, 2009 at 2:42pm

Well, yes, but there is also life which gives us challenges along the way. A hard time is when teens are difficult and your parents are aging. That's impossible for everyone.
For women, I think perimenopause is particularly challenging. During pregnancy (w/ high estrogen), I felt absolutely wonderful. Now, my basal level of estrogen is going down/ fluctuating...so there are mind/emotion connections to bodily changes. I don't care if you are diabetic or not, that's a tricky time for the stablest of women.
W/ menopause, a friend or spouse's illness, secondary complications, or other natural events, we can be "hit" w/ our own mortality. An adjustment everyone has to make, sooner or later.
So, whatever the cause/reasons, my focus is, "How can I take care of myself better?"

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Permalink Reply by 3BoysMom on April 2, 2009 at 6:22am

I was diagnosed with depression prior to my diabetes diagnosis so I really don't know. When I was 22 I was diagnosed with Major Depression. I do think that for me the diabetes definitely threw me over the edge a bit. I mean I already have a hard time dealing with things and then to have this ball thrown in my court was traumatizing for me. My anxiety has increased but I also have 3 kids now. A hard part for me has been the weight that I have gained, I was already self-conscious and now after gaining around 25 pounds I get very upset. It is hard enough to keep it all in control without diabetes. It is very comforting to know that other diabetics have gone through these sad, depressing patches as well.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Phillips on April 14, 2009 at 1:12pm

I think I would be depressed without diabetes, I think diabetes makes it worse, but I have little doubt I would be depressed. I beleive I was as a kid, so there is no reason to beleive I woudl have been a whole lot different. On the other hand, I also have no doubt, my condition makes it worse.

Rick Phillips

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Permalink Reply by Karen Doering on April 14, 2009 at 3:19pm

I really don't think I would be this depressed, still avoiding drugs for the past year, but ready to leap on them again at any moment.

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on April 14, 2009 at 3:28pm

I just don't know, suppose I never will, but this preoccupation with long term complications and hour to hour self scrutiny is just too much. Is depression anger turned in on oneself ? I still hate this D. Then again I have never understood how some people just don't think like I do, some people don't get depressed, is that mad or what !

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Permalink Reply by Karen Doering on April 14, 2009 at 3:35pm

I know, I know I get soooo pissed that people aren't pissed at the D!! :-P

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on April 14, 2009 at 3:42pm

Yeah Karen, we should really point out to them that they just are not in our gang if they aren't pissed at the D, weirdos.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Doering on April 14, 2009 at 3:43pm

You always make me laugh :)

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Permalink Reply by Lou on July 11, 2009 at 5:08am

Ach I get that, Tooootally!! Are you in my head? or maybe not maybe we're just in the same ball park, whatever, I am and always will be angry at D.

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Permalink Reply by Sheila on April 16, 2009 at 12:17pm

I agree with a lot of your posts - I have always been depressed, angry, in denial - you name it we get it !!! After 55 years and not knowing any different I still get pissed that I am diabetic. I take the anti-depressant Elavil (amitriptyline) for the neurpopathy in my feet, which helps with the depression. Also Zoloft for the mood swings and menopause. See what us women have to put up with ? - And our husbands !!
I have tried drinking, eating, burrying my sorrows, feeling sorry for myself....everything - but nothing helps...you just struggle on with the ups and downs of the BG's....having the CGM helps....helps control....and inevitably helps with the depression.
Good luck to you all....I am still alive !!!
Sheila

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on April 16, 2009 at 12:32pm

Well said Sheila.

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