Clinical depression runs on my mom's side of the family; type 1 diabetes on my dad's. I drew both cards.
I agree that sometimes it takes a lot of trying to find the right med, or combination of meds, and as said above, a PCP is not the first choice to consult. I've had the same shrink for 10 years and currently am taking citalopram, along with temazepam for sleep.
I also go for talk therapy about once a month.
Being active helps; meditating helps; going to db meetups helps; and, dancing to my favorite classic rock station helps.
Trenia, once again, I think with proper professional help (that by the way most people will not seek on their own) a person can be helped by talk therapy, meditation, yoga, medication, etc. But these things need to be done with the help of a professional not on your own, I do not believe that we are helpless against depression....I think we have to make wise and healthy choices on what we need medically and psychologically. A long chronic illness can cause severe deep depression and that calls for some psychological help. The depression that comes from feeling different, perhaps alienate from friends because we are diabetics, can possibly be helped with the methods that have been suggested, new friends, talking with friends, prayer, a change of scenery, maybe medication, How we treat our depression is as individual as our diabetes is. We need to keep the doors open for whatever works for the individual; just as a medication might not work for us, it might work for someone else,
Yeah, you're right sdkate, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being depressed. However, some people don't identify with it,& they tend to accuse you of being overly-dramatic. At this point in time, I can still deal with it, but I'm open to seeking help when I already need to.
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Our blood sugars put us at risk only for heart, liver, kidney or nerve disease but high blood sugars also affect our moods and our thinking and our brain power. Keeping blood sugars below 5.5% will help alleviate suffering. I shot up to 200 with an infection and I felt hopless and terrible then as I brought my sugar down I was miserable. the flu caused my sugar to shoot up to 360 and I just took it easy coming down to my normal which is in the 5% range at all times if possible. I diasagree that we can function well by keeping our sugars below 7% like the ADA says.
Katy, I am so happy that you are one of the fortunate,dare I say lucky, people who can live below 6%; most of us can't and don't. Being as low as you are causes my already depressive mood (not caused by "D") to escalate. There has to be a guideline, and if your's is 6% as too high that's your guideline. My goal/guidline is to get it below 6.5% and be extremely happy with that; if it's lower closer to 6.0; then I start to experience mood swings that aren't pretty. I think we will see that as many of us start to get older, the guidelines and goals will change because our metabolism changes and we have to work harder, or be happy we aren't up in the 200 - 300 range. Good for you Katy, you should be proud,
Certain meds can raise sugars. When I had to take an immunosupressant and an anti inflammatory I was lucky to keep BG below 6.5 even with lo carbing.
Dangerous advice. Clinical depression is not something that should be addressed by oneself with "work and determination." Depression is a potentially deadly problem that should be addressed with a health professional. I am a lucky man and have the support of a loving wife and the benefit of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy to put me on a more even keel.
One of my good friends was not so fortunate and his life was cut tragically short.
Having a label of mental illness on your mental state has about the same impact as having a label of diabetic on your glucose levels.
Sorry to come out so strongly, but depression can be a killer and needs to be treated as such. If you suspect you have depression, seek help. It's hard, but please do so soonest. Better to be overcautious.
There is hope and treatment is much improved over the last decade. Good luck and all the best thoughts for you and the OP.
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Your not alone, I also have a long term depression. I do not know how long but I did not go to a Psychiatrist until I was 30. But looking back I cannot help but think that I can relate some weird behaviors, especially social, to a mental condition that definitely includes depression. I am so sorry that anyone has to go throuth this. I don't think anyone quite understands how difficult a long lasting depression actually is. There is a youtube video of Robert Sapolsky, Phd from Standford University who lectures his class about depression and he seems to understand, he is an excellent speaker and I encourage everyone to check it out.
I recently read an article put out by the AMA and ADA that stated that as We get older we may begin to see higher numbers as a norm rather than something to be very concerned about, The reasoning was that our bodies metabolism is changing, slowing down, pancreas is working slower and in general our bodies are "wearing out", So they are now considering 150 - 180 for normal numbers for people over 50 who are either type 1 or 2...interesting, huh? As for me, I'll keep mine below 130 when at all possible....somehow that makes me feel better
Very Interesting comments. Thank you for sharing. It seems logical as one and the organs age, their ability to hold tight control will probably be affected.
Thank you sdkate! Merry Christmas and happy New Year nad good luck reining in your diabetes.
I am Bipolar {also type 2, seems to be a theme for me...} and I go through phases of nasty depression. I also have a severe anxiety disorder, and between those things, I'm on some pretty hefty doses of medication to keep me mostly functional. Since I have been being treated intensively for the Bipolar disorder and the anxiety, a side effect has been a lessening of the crushing depression. When it does hit, I try my best to act on any passing thought that sounds like it might capture my interest. That's generally what pulls me out of the hole, finding something to be really interested in, and putting my energy towards it.
Also, I am very blessed to have a husband who will bend over backwards to make me feel better when I'm depressed and/or anxious. I try not to be dependent on him for my moods, but sometimes he's the one thing that can really make me feel better.
I, too, have problems with taking care of my diabetes when I'm feeling crappy, but as you said, I will take my meds. I don't always take my shots properly, but mostly I keep up with the meds. I guess, even at my worst, I know how much worse things would be if I didn't take my meds.
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Please join us this afternoon at 4PM EST for a live event on the subject of "Diabetes and Depression".
http://www.tudiabetes.org/events/live-interview-with-dr-alan-jacobson-diabetes-and-depression
I'll be there myself. If you can't attend, and would like to ask a question to Dr. Jacobson, please ask it on the event page link. The interview will be recorded for future viewing.
I feel the same as you... I hate EVERYTHING this stupid disease is all about... I even stopped taking meds, going to the dr, all if it.. I actually felt ok. Now I am getting back on my meds little by little. I am so depressed all the time. What is there to do about all the depression. I don't want the meds I take enough as it is.
Paula, I do understand about the meds, have seriously considered saying "NO" very loudly until I had a chat with my psych, and he pointed out the worst that I could have happen if I dropped the meds. Not even a pretty site. Yeah, I would feel better for awhile, but, the cause could be that I, me, myself was making some decisions concerning my treatment, I was determining my future. I also take meds for many things, and without them, I wouldn't be writing to you at all. Is getting my way about this worth never seeing the end of the story, Not for me. So I continue to take the meds, read all that I can about every diagnosis I have, and then determining what I can do for me in relationship to the diagnosis, and REMEMBERING that I am not the diagnosis, I am Cathy,....D doesn't have me, I have
"D"....I am in control even on my worst days. I don't take long baths with candles or listen to music or any other things that shrinks recommend for depression, except that I do write. I write angry notes to whatever is bothering me, I write what it is that is bothering me, and sometimes the language is not pretty, polite or nice. But I also write when I am in a great mood too, because that helps keep me there. I have taken control of my treatment. I bring suggestions or ideas to every doc's visit I have, I look for information about what suggestions I bring, and formulate why I think this would be a great way to go. I got a health coach, which in our area is a free service by the hospital. For the most part he, too, is my advocate with the doc and other treatment team members,....but he is honest enough to tell me the pros and cons of my ideas and actions....which helps when depression hits. It would be great I think to have that one person who is on your side....but will be honest with you. But that works for me. What's the source of your depression? Can you dig that far and find out how to deal with that, first, and then go on from there? And if that doesn't work, remember this site and the people here are always there for ya,
i undeerstand you. For many years I was fighting against the diagnose and could not accept I was diabetic, that resulted in eating bad food and not consulting doctors, and of course illness was progessing. I didn't win, my BS is higher and organs more damaged, now when finally I accepted that I am ill I follow the regime of low carbs, take meds and feel power I can control my diabetes as knowledge and meds are existent.
Try to keep yourself motivated. Just remember that you have dealt with this for a long time and that you can handle it. I found an article about motivational quotes that are somewhat helpful when ever I need to push through the day here I'll share it with you :) http://tgp.com.ph/blog/12-motivational-quotes-diabetes/
depression comes from my thoughts, i observe my thoughts and get rid of these which generate sadness.
i also try to be creative and listen to other people , making soul contact
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Remember:
This will pass, it always and it always will. But also find a good therapist and MD to prescribe anti depressant medications.
Many blessings