Simple but effective tips to manage your diabetes and depression
Print
EmailHaving diabetes can be stressful. If your stress persists it may lead to depression. Read about some simple tips to counter these diseases and make life a little easier.
What should one do if they have diabetes and believe they have depression? It is important to talk to your health care professional about the way you are feeling. One should explore options for treatment with their doctor. Treatment options could include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, called “talk therapy,” antidepressant medications or a combination of the two.
Treatment of depression takes time to begin effect. For the latest information on medications that are used for depression, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. Not everyone responds to treatment in the same way so it is important to talk with your health care professional about what might work best for you. Medication treatment can take several weeks before any change is felt. For more information on depression, read “Diabetes can be accompanied with depression” or visit the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus.
If you are concerned about managing your diabetes while having depression, consider these simple tips:
- Try keeping a daily food log. The food log will help you see what you are eating and how much or the quantity you are eating. You can make conscious decisions about what needs to be changed in your diet.
- Take a daily walk. Any exercise is beneficial for managing diabetes, and it has been shown to help manage depression. Exercise provides natural endorphins that elevate your mood.
- Eliminate alcoholic drinks. Many alcoholic drinks are high in calories that carry no nutritional value for your body. Alcohol lowers your blood sugar. By drinking alcohol and taking diabetic medications, one could lower their blood sugar to a dangerous level. Alcohol is also a depressant and has negative effects on certain organs that are trying to manage your blood sugar levels. If you are fighting depression the alcoholic drink can actually make your symptoms of depression worse.
By following these simple tips you will be well on your way to managing your diabetes and depression. For more health related topics visit Michigan State University Extension’s webpage.
