How Does Diabetes Impact your Mood?

Blood glucose plays a huge role in a person’s physical and mental health. Any person having “normal” blood glucose levels may experience conditions like:

  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety

Various factors affect the mood of a diabetic person. Both hour-by-hour or chronically i.e., over several months or years. Diabetes may play a key role in mild stress and anxiety to severe depression. Here, you can understand the most common ways by which diabetes affects a person’s mood.

Low blood glucose levels

Anybody using insulin is at risk of experiencing low glucose levels. Also, mood swings may go with it. And, low blood glucose might be scary, irrespective of its severity or frequency. Although, it creates a mild impact on a person’s mood, it’s intolerable to avoid.

If a person experiences lows quite often, it may give feelings of fear and anxiety. Also, the insulin doses might not match well with the body’s needs. In such cases, these lows may cause mood changes even if the person is not low.

During low glucose level, the person may feel the following signs:

  • Frustration
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Panic
  • Sadness
  • Overwhelmed with anxiety
  • Silly
  • Fatigued 
  • And more!

Low blood glucose may be easily dismissed as a panic attack. This is possible, if a person has been diagnosed with diabetes. Also, low blood sugars might be an early signs of Type 2 diabetes. In case of frequent lows, discussion with a doctor is must. This is a clear sign that a person is receiving excessive insulin and needs a dose change asap. Moreover, it is important to carry fast-acting carbs handy. Also, some glucagon for emergency to help manage the signs of severe hypoglycemia.

High blood glucose levels

The way high sugars influence a person’s mood may be much more delicate than the lows. High blood glucose does not come with that abrupt feeling of emergency. As they aren’t life-threatening like lows.

Instead, high levels may leave a person feeling:

  • Angry
  • Depressed
  • Irritable and cranky
  • Exhausted 
  • Lacking interest in daily activities

High blood glucose might creep up slowly. The signs of anger or frustration might still feel very unexpected. This may result in a sudden mood-swing, as well. At times, a brisk walk and a glass of water helps bring the high blood glucose down. Yet, sometimes it might show a need for change in the medicines. In case of frequent high blood glucose levels, speak to the healthcare team. The body would thus, need more help in keeping the sugars in a healthy range.

Anxiety and depression

Diabetes and mental health battles go hand-in-hand. Look at how could both impact the mood on daily basis?

  • Blood glucose variations
  • Endless fear of low blood glucose
  • Constant fear and threat of complications
  • Managing existing complications
  • Stigma and judgment from others
  • Constant attention to food, exercise, and weight management
  • Constant healthcare appointments
  • The financial burden of paying for medicines and supplies
  • High-maintenance medicines
  • And much more!

Anxiety 

The anxiety that follows type 1 diabetes may develop from many factors. Type 1 diabetes is about trying to control those factors. Hence, one can predict his or her blood glucose more easily. And, if these things come under control, it may lead to an anxiety-ridden battle.

Individuals having type 1 diabetes might face anxiety, not associated with diabetes. Type 1 diabetics face more difficulty keeping the healthy levels of blood glucose while being a depression patient. Coping with anxiety with diabetes is important. As it might help with the daily demands of type 2 diabetes management, as well.

Depression 

Every person might face tough phases in their lives. However, a person must know when depression starts to affect the diabetes. In diabetes, depression might also appear as a burnout. This means that depression focuses on diabetes management. Higher glucose levels also enhance general feelings of depression and worsens the anxiety. Luckily, research is focussing on the significance of diabetes on mental health.

Lifestyle changes to manage blood glucose

Numerous lifestyle principles may assist in stabilizing the blood sugar: 

  • Stress management. Stress negatively affects the normal blood sugar . Hormonal changes during acute and chronic stress might influence the sugar balance.
  • Increase protein and fiber consumption. Protein has a low glycemic index (GI). This shows that they create a low impact on blood glucose levels. Fibrous food products have a lower GI value than their refined alternatives.
  • Cut down the consumption of sugary drinks and refined carbs. Reduce diets rich in refined carbs such as sugary drinks. These have a high GI value and relates to unstable blood glucose control.

Consider such dietary and lifestyle changes for lowering the risks of these mood disorders. For more help about mental health and diabetes. Breathe Well-Being is a digital platform for reversing your diabetes naturally. It gives a wonderful feeling of being healthy and fit. One has to be diabetes-free so as to evade such mental issues. Breathe Well-Being is a clinically proven program. It works on your blood glucose levels, your weight, and other health complications. Do not delay! Connect with our experts to find support in a positive, moderated environment.

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Adam Ali