How Does Depression Affect People With Diabetes?
Depression is an insidious condition. It can creep into your everyday life and gradually take over. This pall of “greyness” hangs over your life like a veil. People with conditions like diabetes can struggle with depression more than the general population. When you struggle with depression, the smallest tasks can seem insurmountable, making things like exercising, measuring your blood sugar, and eating well seem impossible. So, how does depression affect people with diabetes, and how can you conquer it? Read on below for some tips.
Depression Is Responsible for Lethargy
When you have depression, it’s hard to get things done. You feel sluggish, and sometimes even moving can be taxing. Though exercising helps your condition, it’s easier said than done. That said, there are ways to combat this symptom of depression.
A popular psychological method of working through depression is visualizing yourself doing the action you want to do. For instance, you can visualize yourself taking your blood sugar or sitting in the sun. Take this process only a few steps at a time. You may want to start by visualizing yourself taking a chair outside and sitting in the sun or opening the blinds. Vitamin D is essential in managing diabetes, so if these sessions inspire you to get outdoors, you can enjoy that added benefit.
Dark Thoughts
It’s not uncommon to have thoughts of self-criticism when you struggle with diabetes. These negative thoughts are a key way that depression affects people with diabetes. Many people with diabetes struggle with weight gain and might blame themselves for their condition.
Watching these thoughts come and go is a good way to overcome their control over your life. Focusing on your breath and allowing your thoughts to come and go without struggling against them gives you a bit of space between you and them. Distancing yourself from these thoughts helps you make better choices and take control of your consciousness.
It Inhibits a Healthy Lifestyle
Often, physicians will advise a person with diabetes to make several lifestyle changes. However, depression has a way of inhibiting your ability to make progress or manage a routine. How do you make changes or adapt when you don’t possess the willpower to do so? You might have a hard time remembering things when you have depression as well.
In this instance, the best thing you can do is make your goals simpler to achieve by focusing on accessibility. For example, you can start by putting your lancelets in the same place—near your bed is a good spot. Make sure you keep your diabetic slippers and socks where you pass in the house the most for easy access. You also want to avoid buying sugary foods that can spike your blood sugar; you won’t consider eating them for a brief dopamine spike if they aren’t accessible. In short, there are many ways you can manage life with depression and diabetes, and these tips can help you start.
