Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. In this blog we are going to talk about how diabetes affects your mental health.
Diabetes not only spikes insulin levels in the body but rapid mood swings even affect the personal life of a person. The emotional strain on relationships can be even more heartbreaking sometimes. There can be potential complications to diabetes which can further lead to anxiety and nervousness.
Mostly, our loved ones are unable to understand sudden mood shifts which create confusion among them. So, getting support is an essential part of healthier relationship growth. Diabetes might affect a person’s self mood and relationships in the long run.
The Symptoms of low/decreased blood sugar:
- Hunger spikes
- Low Coordination in decision making
- Anger
- Irritation
- Behavioral changes
- Improper concentration
- Constant mood changes
Diabetes distress is the type of mental condition which can lead to stress and depression. These symptoms affect the quality of a person’s life to too much extent. Anxiety about blood sugar levels makes a person distressed about future situations. Family may become overly involved considering them fragile.
Managing both food and exercise regimes seems hectic for the sufferers. Moreover, people suffering from diabetes have concerns regarding their employment.
Daily routine of a person triggers alarming concerns about missing an insulin dose which further makes the situation more distressful.
That is how diabetes affects your mental health.
Tips to Manage stress related to Diabetes
- Pay attention to what and how you feel
- Follow simple exercise routine
- Low carbohydrate diet should be followed
- Talking with someone who is also suffering from diabetes
- Breathing exercises
- Morning and evening walks
- Listen to music
- Positive thinking
- Counting blessings
- Understanding that maintaining glucose levels is not that difficult
- Avoid thinking about future
But also listening about emergencies is also important as signs of diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a severe complication of high blood sugar levels.
If through psychological intervention things don’t seem sorted out then medications can be used to treat depression and anxiety. It has also been observed that hypoglycemic drugs often have a wide range of side effects including gastrointestinal problems, kidney failure, amputations, weight gain, and visual impairment
The person suffering from diabetes should also seek psychological support for any worrying mental health issues and people around should support and encourage this.
These were a few tips on how you cannot let your diabetes affects your mental health.
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