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People with diabetes are at a higher risk of becoming depressed. About 15 to 20 percent of people with diabetes also have depression. That rate is about four times greater than the general population. Like diabetes, depression is an illness that can be treated.
Impact on diabetes
Depression doesn't mean feeling blue or sad once in a while. Most people feel down sometimes. In the case of depression, these feelings last for weeks, months, or even years.
Being depressed can make it harder to take care of day-to-day responsibilities. It can also hurt relationships with family members, co-workers, and friends. For someone with diabetes, being depressed can get in the way of doing the things that help keep blood sugar levels in target.
We don't know why depression is so common in people with diabetes. Does diabetes cause depression? Does depression trigger diabetes? The relationship between these conditions isn't clear. Anyone with diabetes should be aware of and watch for signs of depression.
It is common to have negative feelings about having diabetes. This is not the same as depression. If you find yourself troubled by challenges of living with diabetes, please talk with your doctor or anyone on your health care team. If you’d like to take an assessment to see how living with diabetes is impacting your daily life, visit: https://diabetesdistress.org/for-patients.
Common signs of depression
Signs of depression are both mental and physical. Physical signs can include stomach problems, headaches, and backaches.
If a person has any of the following symptoms most of the time and they last for two weeks or more, it could be a sign of depression.
- Feeling down, blue, hopeless, sad, or irritable
- Not enjoying activities that are usually enjoyable
- Low self-esteem ("I'm not a competent person") and negative, hopeless thoughts ("I'll never feel better")
- Trouble concentrating
- Less energy than usual
- Changes in appetite, weight, or sleeping patterns
- More physical aches and pain
- Trouble doing normal activities at work, school, or home
Getting help
If signs of depression last for two weeks or more and get in the way of normal activities at work, school, or home, it's time to get help. Talk to a member of your health care team about the best way to treat your depression. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might want to check for other possible causes before deciding on the right treatment plan for you. You can also call 1- 833-KP4CARE.
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