Diabetes and depression: a worrying duo

Also read: Depression: why such a long suffering?

What is the explanation?

To explain the link between diabetes and depression, we need to look at several underlying factors. For example, living with a chronic condition usually has a psychological effect. Those who are told at a younger age that they have diabetes often find this a difficult message to process. Some of the dreams for the future seem to disappear.

Another possible explanation is certain lifestyle factors that are present, such as an inadequate diet, less physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and reduced medication compliance.

But there is also a biological mechanism at the basis: the dysfunction of one of the most important stress systems of the body, the so-called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This results in all kinds of substances – hormones – being disrupted. Both depression and diabetes involve hormonal imbalance. This could therefore also be a possible explanation for the relationship between depression and diabetes.

Also read: Podcast: healthy lifestyle with type 2 diabetes

What are the consequences?

The combination of diabetes and depression has serious consequences for health and quality of life. People with depression find it more difficult to take their medication regularly, to eat healthily and to exercise sufficiently. For example, the chance that a patient with diabetes with depression will not adhere to the treatment prescriptions is three times greater than a non-depressed diabetic patient. As a result, depressed diabetics are at greater risk of complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and eye disease.

In addition, they have a reduced quality of life and worse glucose levels. Due to the two-way relationship between diabetes and depression, these patients are also at risk of ending up in a vicious circle.

Also read: Prediabetes: symptoms and how to reverse it?

What can you do?

To reduce depressive symptoms and the risk of physical complications from diabetes, there are a number of therapies and lifestyle factors that can help:

• Psychological help: Cognitive behavioral therapy can help improve your mood. This type of therapy also provides people with information on how to manage their diabetes themselves.
• Psycho-education: information tailored to the individual about the risk and susceptibility to disorders caused by inadequate nutrition and lack of exercise.
• Sports and exercise: 'Healthy Sports' recommends 150 minutes of moderate to intensive physical activity per week. In addition, it is also necessary to integrate physical activity into daily life. Tools such as a pedometer can be an extra motivation to move more.
• Nutritional advice can help you eat healthily and control blood sugar levels and weight.

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