Im very new to this site. But I wonder if anyone here has any issues with depression in relation to their diabetes and life in general. I will be honest with all of you, I am a 24 year old non compliant type 1 diabetic. I have been non compliant for 6 years, I have been a diabetic for 12 years. I think that if I dont take blood sugars or insulin then I will eventually die slowly…which takes longer than I expected. Anyway I am in graduate school (one more year before completion), I live alone, I have no friends where I live, and no family lives where I live. All I do is go to work and go to school. I dont know what my future plans are. Im not passionate about anything…I have no boyfriend, no career, no children…I having nothing to look forward to anymore. All of you seem to be so positive…I wish you all the best.
Hi Annette: Welcome to TuD. I am so sorry for what you are going through. There have been many, many discussions here on TuD about depression and diabetes and how to stay motivated or get back on track. Thankfully this is a place that you can share the “not positive” and get support from people who know that diabetes really sucks. If you do a search here on TuD on Diabetes and Depression, you’ll see it is a hot topic. Again, I am so sorry for what you are going through right now.
I am sorry to hear your plight in life. Life is hard and then we die. That’s how it works. Nevertheless most people seem to be somewhat happy. My brother had diabetes and horribly gangrened feet and was dieing but somehow he was still happy. He used to study the power of positive thinking. Try to find little things that make you happy and build on them like a low carb diet it will take some time to adjust to being happy. the more so if one has been miserable for a long time. Would getting your diabetes under control make you happy. I does make me happy. I also have kidney stones, gout, high blood pressure, obesity and insomnia but I am chipping away at all of the problems in additions to life’s nitty gritties. Hope you feel better soon.
No offense but I have been trying for three years to find out what makes me happy, ans nothing seems to be sticking. Good diabetes management means nothing to me, that doesnt make me happy. Yes i know that happiness will take time, but I have given up on happiness already…I wish you the best.
I am sorry you are feeling this way and what you are going through. As Melitta mentioned, TuD Diabetes and Depression may be a place that you can go and find support and “Friends” that understand. A good start. I wish you the best.
I know that many times when I have had some very hard times, I have reached out to members and my friends here on TuD and they have helped me through the darkness of my life and feelings. You are never alone here. Don’t give up on yourself and have Hope.
I prefer not to become dependent on anti-depressants to make me happy or balance me out. My mother would like me to consider it, but I take enough medications as it is…
Look, I don’t want to butt in where I am not wanted, but you are very young to feel so depressed. I really think you should bite the bullet and go and see a doctor and get something to help you through this very hard time in your life.
(((((Hugs))))) Maureen
What your describing doesn’t seem to be diabetes relates, seems to be just a general depression issue. So don’t try to link it to diabetes. Even though your considered an adult at 24, there is a lot about life that you still do not know. I think you might want to rethink your mother advice and get some help.
Annette
I know thus is hard. I was diagnosed in 1991 and was probably non-compliant from 1994 until 2002. And then only sorta was compliant. I struggle with depression too. I was in college, no boyfriend, giving up on my dreams of med school. I promise I kniw what you are feeling. This disease sucks. It is draining and a constant battle. I also remember going out to a diner with friends and telling them how bad it was. I was 25 living at home and hated my job. I remember saying I did not see any hope for it getting any better. I remember them begging me to see someone to talk to a doctor. I did not see how it would help. But they made me promise. I have to say that first step is the hardest. I saw a doctor and started taking antidepressants. And I can say it DID help. I would have never believed it. Also it is not forever I no longer take the antidepressants. Hang in there and think of it this way could seeing a doctor about your depression really.make things any worse?
Anti-depressants are NOT “happy pills”. They don’t actually make you “happy”, they just lift the dark cloud and allow you to think more clearly to find ways to improve your life by your own efforts. For me, they suppress the suicidal thoughts that occupy me 24/7. When all you can think of is suicide, there is no room for anything else. All the other meds in the world won’t help you if you can’t even summon up the will to take them, ESPECIALLY insulin. And anti-depressants DON’T make you dependent. You can always stop them if 1) they’re not working, or 2) you don’t need them any more. The second alternative is better!
Second, I found a really GOOD therapist. He has helped me in more ways than I can count. But I don’t think I could have benefited from him if not for the anti-depressants.
Your rejections of people’s suggestions sounds like classic depression – you don’t believe anything can help, so you refuse everything, but that’s a mistake. Give it a chance. You might eventually come out of the depression by yourself, but it can take a long time, or maybe never. Why not accept the hands of help that are being offered, even if you don’t believe it. Maybe you will find that you were wrong!
If the meds scare you, you might want to try a psychologist first. He/She might be able to help you sort out what is going on so you can decide what route you would like to take.
The work/school/work/school routine is depressing enough for anyone. I have no idea how one is supposed to fit disease management and a social life into that schedule. As a psychologist will listen without a prescription pad, you might be able to get some appropriate help/resources to get you through what would be a difficult situation for anyone.
Annette, This is really good advice from someone who’s been there. There is always hope even when we feel hopeless. That’s why you come to this site for others to listen and understand where you’re coming from. Good point mhynes…“could seeing a doctor about your depression really make things any worse?” I think it’s worth a try and a good, but difficult first step. Annette hang in there and know others are here to help you along the way!!!
Firstly to get help you have to hold out your hand and take another hand or you can’t be held above water so to speak! I am on anti depressants which help me and are not happy pills. If you don’t try to manage your Diabetes then the high sugar levels soaking your brain will make you depressed in themselves. A hug to you! Please don’t give up?!
Hi Annette. I was just getting caught up on my blog reading and came across one that made me think of you and your post. The blog was written by TuD’s Trev, http://www.three2treat.com/2011/08/passion-never-giving-up.html. I am not familiar with clinical depression myself, but life and/or Diabetes has brought me to the point where I felt hopeless, where regaining some passion for life was critical for simple interaction with my family. I hope you have time to read Trev’s post, perhaps it will help, and there are so many other good suggestions in these comments as well. Best wishes.
No positive feelings here honey. Any chronic condition will likely cause some form of depression and even more so with diabetes being its F******G constant 24/7. I can handle the diabetes but not the sugar swings which literally drive me insane. Both highs and lows cause major distress. I rarely feel well or OK. I am 45 years old have no kids nor anything for that matter other then my aging parents who basically look after me.
Yeah just getting through high-school was a nightmare for me. Be proud of of your self going through grueling college. I’d have a better chance climbing a mountain with diabetes then making it through college. Being your on your own be very careful with your sugars at night. Over the last year I’ve had the paramedics save me a half dozen times. If it weren’t for my mom to call them I wouldn’t be here typing. Trust me this disease blows, its right up there with worst of them. Yeah you can live nearly as long as a non-diabetic if you take care of yourself and are somewhat lucky but your quality of life is diminished so greatly you gotta wonder if its worth it.
