Hello all! I was wondering if any of you have experienced depression and how you knew that that was what it was?
I've been feeling exhausted and sad a lot, but I can't tell if its just stress from nursing school or if its legitimately depression.
First to all I am so sorry you are going through this. I suffer from depression as do many on this site. It is not the end of the world. I personally believe it is more common in diabetics, but there are no studies I know of showing causation.
It may be both. Yes diabetics in my opinion are subjected to enough stress that we have a good number of us who are depressed. If you feel it is depression I urge you to get to a doctor and commence talk therapy. Usually one starts talk first. But neither way is wrong.
Remember if we are medically depressed (I certainly am) it is not something to be taken lightly. And as far as I know there are no standardized symptoms. You have this or do that so you are depressed. Please look into it, depression can ruin us and there are ways to make it more tolerant. But only if we pull back the stigma and put on the help.
The only issue with getting professional help is I'm not insured and already owe $20,000+ in medical bills. That's why I haven't done anything just yet...
Rick: You hit the nail right on the head---"It may be both." Stress in anyone, diabetic or not, causes exhaustion and THAT leads to a feeling of being sad or out of kilter emotionally. Stress also allows us to believe unrealistic things about ourselves and our abilities. Tada--enter exhaustion and sadness!
Kaycee, as Rick said, get a hold of your PCP or Endo and discuss your feelings with them asap. If you don't, it will begin to affect your diabetes control in larger ways than it may already be doing. If you don't already have a support person with whom you can vent openly about discouragements and stresses, find one. When I was in school, I found an instructor who was very supportive and allowed me to discuss some of the discouragements I was having with my studies due to the impact of my diabetes on my time and health. It was wonderful! She was able to give me tips on ways to cut study time to allow more rest time and less pressure; how to work with other instructors in pre-setting options for the future of the term should my diabetes create a health issue. Many more things. Some schools have disability counselors who are willing to assist with relieving some of the stresses and provide you with resources you may not even know are available to you to reduce stress while you complete your education. Check it out. But, definitely get a hold of your doc and let them in on your concerns. They will be able to let you know if it is something that requires concern or not.
Best wishes and keep us posted as to how you are feeling, ok? We are all in this life together and are here to provide the support and friendship you need.
:)
Many colleges and universities, offer student crisis counseling for students who need to enter into therapy. Go to the student services area. This will be somewhere around admissions, financial aide, counseling something like that. Get a person maybe a dean, or director or an adviser let them know you need you are having some difficult feelings. Usually they will find a way to get you some no fee services. Your endo or PCP can prescribe anti-depressant medication.
Also ask about student health insurance policies. Almost all schools have student health plans that are very low cost. Inquire about the options if any. If you are less than 26 (I always get that number confused it maybe 28)you can remain on your parents plan. If you are in this age range you may qualify for health coverage.
Now sit down and take a break. Breath, close your eyes and rest. One thing we know about being depressed, it comes in waves. if you take some time out it will get you down the road a ways. It is not treatment nor a cure, but it might help this afternoon.
Please keep us posted I have made a friend request with you if you need me please write. I am a big boy I can and i hold a Doctorate Degree, yes I do understand.
rick
Thank you both so much. I'm going to see what I can do about insurance and whatnot and I'll be sure to keep you posted. And Rick, thank you for the offer. I may have to take you up on that.
Kaycee, depression can be rough and it is hard to tell if you are legitimately depressed or just overwhelmed with stress. I talked with my primary care doctor and he asked a few questions. After answering his questions he diagnosed me with dysthymia. It is a form of chronic depression. He prescribed some anti depressants which are available for $4 at my pharmacy. I have been feeling a lot better. I encourage you to do some research on getting some insurance or finding help paying for doctor visits, and talk to your PCP. Depression is very serious and shouldn’t go untreated. If you need anyone to talk to you can feel free to message me.
Thank you very much, Vinnie. Its really nice to know I'm not the only one going through it! And I knew I wasn't but sometimes you just have that feeling, ya know? And I am currently applying for CHIP insurance, but have to wait until my mom's taxes are done since I'm still a dependent! But we'll see how that goes and hopefully I can start seeing my doctors again.. I've missed 2 appointments with my endo so far and my third was supposed to be for April and I hope I don't miss that one, as well.
I know how it is to go without insurance. I wasn’t able to see a doctor for a while. Now I have insurance through work and I am finally able to get back in to see my doctors and it is great. Good luck with the CHIP program. I really hope it goes through for you. Having diabetes and not being able to see a doctor is enough stress. Throw depression into the mix and it makes it that much worse. Hopefully everything goes through and your able to get in to see your doctors. Until then keep your chin up and never be afraid to tell someone how your feeling.
I've survived so far so a few more months can't be too bad! :D
I'm hoping to get a job at a local hospital and they're sure to provide health insurance so hopefully I'll have insurance by June, at the latest!
Hey, I just wanna add, that it might be depression, but it also might be another cause. Kaycee, please dont just run to a doc prescribing you some cheap anti-depressants, bc those pills are not just "small stuff", they affect your brain. Of course, if you need them, take them, but make serious clarifications before you start taking these pills.
wishing you all the best
SC
Oh I know! I hate taking medicine past my insulin and my vitamins! My mom raised me to not just swallow some pill a doctor gives me unless it is absolutely necessary! I'm giving myself a little while before I do anything.
Too bad you are feeling that. Don't wait.
Try Behavioral Diabetes Institute http://behavioraldiabetes.org/blog/
Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) only focus is on addressing the social, emotional, and psychological barriers to living a long and healthy life with diabetes. To better understand and overcome these obstacles, BDI is actively engaged in research examining the psychological aspects of diabetes and evaluating innovative behavioral interventions. In addition, BDI directly offers an array of unique, behaviorally-oriented products and services for: people with type 1 diabetes; people with type 2 diabetes; parents of children and teens with diabetes; spouses and partners of people with diabetes; and interested health care professionals. Products and services include print materials; online courses and modules, face-to-face workshops and seminars, professional training programs, and an online library of resources.
http://behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/blog/item/a-painful-void-exists-in-diabetes-care
A Painful Void Exists in Diabetes Care
WRITTEN BY SUSAN POSTED IN DIABETES CARE ON THURSDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2013.
BDI receives phone calls and e-mails from all over the world inquiring whether there is a BDI-like organization in their community. One such email was sent to us recently, “Dear BDI, I am trying to get help and do not live in California. I have been type 1 diabetic for 7 years now and I’m to the point of giving up fighting it. I’m tired of being sick. My last A1C was almost 11%. I’ve been looking for something to help me get back on track.” It has been painful for us to respond to people outside of San Diego who are desperate for the kind of help we provide and not be able to offer them much of anything.
Ten years since its founding, BDI is still the only organization that is solely devoted to addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of diabetes. And, there are far too few independent mental health professionals that are diabetes knowledgeable that we can refer people to. Thankfully, last year BDI received a grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to build a plan to grow BDI so we can begin to provide the resources we offer to more of those who need it.
BDI is Taking Steps to Fill the Void