Depression caused by diabetes - reaction after diagnosis

Depression caused by diabetes - reaction after diagnosis

After a test, you enter your doctor's chambers. The doctor informs you that you are diabetic. This is a shock for you. Your next questions are sure it can't be. But a second test also confirms this.

How are you? There is so much information about diabetes that most, if not many, consider it a “death sentence.” Immediate thoughts relate to people who have undergone all kinds of treatments for diabetes, medications, restrictions, complications such as non-healing of common wounds and also how this hinders other treatments and so on.

Yes, it is difficult to cope with a diagnosis of diabetes. Most refuse to believe that they could be the carrier of diabetes. They spend money to have it checked again and again in desperation. When it is sufficiently confirmed, they ultimately fall into despair. And despair leads to depression. Visions of impairment, inability to do certain things, and other similar thoughts crowd the mind and lead to depression. The American Diabetes Association has conducted studies to prove that diabetes poses a higher risk of depression - itself another disease.

Loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, lack of interest in everyday activities, difficulty sleeping or sleeping, including excessive sleep, are some of the symptoms that indicate depression. What is not recognized is that depression combined with diabetes is a dangerous disease.

If you are such a person and are experiencing signs of depression, you should consult your doctor to help you or refer you to a therapist who knows the illness and may be able to help you. Seeking help does not mean you are helpless. On the other hand, seeking help means that you want support from experts who can help you at the stage you are at. Remember that you are one of the many thousands who suffer from this disease and have successfully overcome the current phase you are in and are now living a healthy life.

There are support groups made up of people like you who suffer from diabetes, and many of them have been through the trauma that you are currently going through. Talking to them about it will act as a balm for your “why me” syndrome.

Diabetes is no longer a life-threatening disease. It can be controlled provided you are willing to make some changes to your lifestyle. Your lifestyle will undergo only minor and no major changes. The more you learn about it, the more you will find that it is manageable without significantly changing your lifestyle. Yes, there are restrictions and pills to take. But it's not the end of the world for you. Learn from different sources. Contact the American Diabetes Foundation or visit their website. Find out what it's about and what medications are available. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that almost 95 percent of diabetics lead normal lives. The more you learn about the disease, the better you will feel.

Control of diabetes has advanced to the point where individuals do not have to give up their favorite foods or recreational activities. Of course, there are new medications, more frequent testing, and multiple doctor visits before your ideal drug combination is achieved. That itself is stressful. But take it in your stride. Don't feel helpless because that's not necessary. There are enough diabetics. All you have to do is get in touch with them. The American Diabetes Association is one such organization that is happy to help.

Inspired by Abhishek Agarwal