[RockyXX]

Dealing with diabetes or pre-diabetes is very tough on the mental side of the body. It can cause mild, but also severe depressions in people. Does anyone have advice on how to deal with it and get out of it?

 

[ConnieB525]

Dealing with diabetes or pre-diabetes is very tough on the mental side of the body. It can cause mild, but also severe depressions in people. Does anyone have advice on how to deal with it and get out of it?

One thing that can be very therapeutic is journaling-just write down all the thoughts going through your mind. Distraction can also help. What is something you like to do that will occupy your time? Things like hobbies, crafts, games, movies, exercise, word puzzles, even coloring in coloring books can be good distractions.

 

[Wink]

Daily exercise and getting enough sleep make a big difference. These are both really hard for me.. but I keep trying. Also, when I find myself unable to get started on things because it seems overwhelming I set myself small goals to do small parts of whatever it is.. even a tiny amount of progress inspires me to do the next small part.

 

[carbo]

I'm right there with you. when I think its under control or at-least predictable and then I spike high or go low I get shocked back into reality and get depressed for a few days.

It helps to talk to people who are dealing with the same issues. It makes me feel like im not alone and if others can do it so can I. I have a few type 1's at my work and we talk and it really lifts my spirits. Stay social and talk it out. Your not alone!

I'm new here but I was a lurker for awhile and im excited to have this as another outlet. Keep finding outlets and stay positive. I try to remind myself not to let this curse ruin the good times with my family.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Definitely recommend at least one hobby that is not food related

 

[carbo]

Definitely recommend at least one hobby that is not food related

+1 on that...

I do card magic when I'm stressed. Magic takes my mind off of everything around me. Don't waste every second watching the meeter or you will need a psychiatrist as well as a endocrinologist.

 

[RockyXX]

+1 on that...

I do card magic when I'm stressed. Magic takes my mind off of everything around me. Don't waste every second watching the meeter or you will need a psychiatrist as well as a endocrinologist.

im already seeing an endocrinologist, but sometimes i wonder if the depression is caused cuz of my GL irregulation or if my GL irreg is caused by depression. i am having issues in my marriage that just cause me to mentally break down and just see the dark. its more like mental abuse what im experiencing. ughhh i dont know whats going on. i might have to go see a psychologist. but the idea with writing it all down might help.

 

[onlymep]

Having diabetes means we're more prone to depression apparently. I'm a person that tends to think about what I can't change and what I can change, and I just move on with things. When I was first diagnosed, every time I saw that glucometer I'd either freak out or be happy. It got to a point where I was freaking out a lot more and I could feel my BP rising. I think with me I was left on the wrong meds for quite a few years which didn't help me one bit. If I could rewind the clock, I would've been more assertive about things... I was a little too accepting sometimes. Actually I think the experience has now made me a more assertive person. I still have my days where I wish I didn't have all these health issues to contend with and I get a bit fed up with it. It physically and mentally drains you. I've been told to seek psychological assistance too as a therapy to assist me to get better. Because I'm more of a "suck it up and get over it" person I probably don't realise that this may not always be the best approach and it's coming out in my health. Our bodies are so complex with everything intrinsically connected. I just try and remember to stay positive no matter what as seeing the bright side of life always makes you feel more grateful and helps you not to focus on the not so great stuff.

 

[Carvar]

Hi RockyXX,
First of all if you are over weight reduce your weight first as over weight leads to many major illness including depression.
Second do start some exercise, physical work or sports to keep your body active,
Third eat healthy diet plan and include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet plan.

 

[RockyXX]

Hi RockyXX,
First of all if you are over weight reduce your weight first as over weight leads to many major illness including depression.
Second do start some exercise, physical work or sports to keep your body active,
Third eat healthy diet plan and include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet plan.

carver,

i am 5'4, age 23, and weight barely 110. I have trouble gaining weight and if I eat too healthy and don't take in my carbs, then my body loses even more weight. It's a fact. I tested it over time. Eating carbs keeps me sumwhat in the weight range that is still ok even if I'm almost underweight for my height.

Yet, eating carbs spikes my GL and then blood pressure to up to 133/97.

I can't really exercise because that's more weight i'll lose (my body is really sensitive with that) and because I have this extreme exhaustion (like chronic fatigue syndrome type of exhaustion), i cant work out. Now, I walk 2 miles 3 times a week cuz we have to inthe military, but after that, i feel so sick.

 

[RockyXX]

Having diabetes means we're more prone to depression apparently. I'm a person that tends to think about what I can't change and what I can change, and I just move on with things. When I was first diagnosed, every time I saw that glucometer I'd either freak out or be happy. It got to a point where I was freaking out a lot more and I could feel my BP rising. I think with me I was left on the wrong meds for quite a few years which didn't help me one bit. If I could rewind the clock, I would've been more assertive about things... I was a little too accepting sometimes. Actually I think the experience has now made me a more assertive person. I still have my days where I wish I didn't have all these health issues to contend with and I get a bit fed up with it. It physically and mentally drains you. I've been told to seek psychological assistance too as a therapy to assist me to get better. Because I'm more of a "suck it up and get over it" person I probably don't realise that this may not always be the best approach and it's coming out in my health. Our bodies are so complex with everything intrinsically connected. I just try and remember to stay positive no matter what as seeing the bright side of life always makes you feel more grateful and helps you not to focus on the not so great stuff.

ya there are times when the "suck it up and get over it" method shouldnt be implemented. the body obviously tells you that something is wrong and has to be done about it. i was told to go see a chaplain or psychologist, but i feel that they wont help me and that it's my own struggle.

 

[MIKEYROBERT]

I have suffered from depression for years, even sought help for it and all the drs wanted to do was put me in a chemical cell to make me happy artifically. I know science says it's a result of a chemical imbalance, but i won't take drugs for it. I won't tell you to suck it up and be happy because when you're severely depressed , i know from experience, you can't just suck it up and snap out of it. Having diabetes and a rocky marriage can make you depressed and you might not get thru it for a while. I know when you stay depressed your(my) brain is malfunctioning and my thinking isn't right, but know that too never lifted me out of it either. The only thing that has worked for me has been prayer , joining a support group and getting out of myself, finding someone to help less fortunate than me. Sometimes when you're depressed there is no easy answer, you just have to keep trying different things until you find something that works. I know this sedating your depression with alcohol, other drugs, or trying to find escape with other things don't work. You have to find the causes and conditions. Good luck, you will be in my prayers. Mikey

 

[RockyXX]

I have suffered from depression for years, even sought help for it and all the drs wanted to do was put me in a chemical cell to make me happy artifically. I know science says it's a result of a chemical imbalance, but i won't take drugs for it. I won't tell you to suck it up and be happy because when you're severely depressed , i know from experience, you can't just suck it up and snap out of it. Having diabetes and a rocky marriage can make you depressed and you might not get thru it for a while. I know when you stay depressed your(my) brain is malfunctioning and my thinking isn't right, but know that too never lifted me out of it either. The only thing that has worked for me has been prayer , joining a support group and getting out of myself, finding someone to help less fortunate than me. Sometimes when you're depressed there is no easy answer, you just have to keep trying different things until you find something that works. I know this sedating your depression with alcohol, other drugs, or trying to find escape with other things don't work. You have to find the causes and conditions. Good luck, you will be in my prayers. Mikey

awww thank you for sharing this mikey. id love to hear more about ur struggle and ways to deal with it. it would help me a great deal. ur right, its not something you can just snap out of and move on. Depression is a serious illness and alcohol and drugs wont fix it.

Anti depressants i think only help you temporarily. I know that if I didnt have problems in my abusive marriage and didnt have these glucose problems and health problems, i wouldnt have depressions.

i used to be a happy, full of life kinda person. I do pray but i feel like nothing works. prayers dont work. food doesnt help. nothing. i am happy to be able to talk to people like you who have similar circumstances, minus the abusive marriage i hope. i dont wish that for anyone.

and even though im not suicidal, i wont say that i havent thought about what it'd b like if i wasnt here anymore. but i think itd b worse cuz then i might regret leaving life and family. we dont know anything about the dead and what they do, go thru, or what its like, so i wouldnt do it.

 

[Shalynne]

Hi, Rocky ...

Military bases often provide free family counseling. This likely won't help you with the diabetes, but you're dealing with a physical condition that is associated with depression, plus a depressing situation that needs changing.

Getting the blood sugars under control may help with the physical part of the depression. (It's done so for me.)

The other part may be the mind's way of calling for a life change. For just one example ... is transfer (perhaps on your own) to another base an option? I've had episodes like that, in various situations.

Wish I could help in a real way. Please keep us posted.

 

[onlymep]

hugs to you ((( Rocky )))... life isn't always easy for us at times. I agree with what Mikey and Shalynne have mentioned above. Personally I believe in power of prayer myself and I think without that I'd be really struggling as I can think of a lot to be miserable about if I put my mind to it. I'm thinking professional help may be the go for you... or a counsellor of some kind. I know myself that I need to probably get that help to just make sure I'm dealing with stuff correctly. Now for me that takes a lot of guts to admit. I'm not suffering depression to my knowledge, although I've had a difficult past. I had a drug induced suicidal episode around easter which scared me... that was a bad reaction to anti-depressant prescribed for my stomach though. I can empathise with people in that situation a lot more now I think. It basically takes a lot of mind power too to get yourself through things at times. I hope your situation improves for you so you feel much better about things.

 

[ConnieB525]

carver,

i am 5'4, age 23, and weight barely 110. I have trouble gaining weight and if I eat too healthy and don't take in my carbs, then my body loses even more weight. It's a fact. I tested it over time. Eating carbs keeps me sumwhat in the weight range that is still ok even if I'm almost underweight for my height.

Yet, eating carbs spikes my GL and then blood pressure to up to 133/97.

I can't really exercise because that's more weight i'll lose (my body is really sensitive with that) and because I have this extreme exhaustion (like chronic fatigue syndrome type of exhaustion), i cant work out. Now, I walk 2 miles 3 times a week cuz we have to inthe military, but after that, i feel so sick.

Clinical depression can have this type of effect on weight and energy. Seeing a professional and/or taking an antidepressant that will work for you may help. When I was in counseling, my therapist had me read a book called Feeling Good that seemed to help. It's kinda like diabetes. You have to try suggestions to see what works for you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

[RockyXX]

Hi, Rocky ...

Military bases often provide free family counseling. This likely won't help you with the diabetes, but you're dealing with a physical condition that is associated with depression, plus a depressing situation that needs changing.

Getting the blood sugars under control may help with the physical part of the depression. (It's done so for me.)

The other part may be the mind's way of calling for a life change. For just one example ... is transfer (perhaps on your own) to another base an option? I've had episodes like that, in various situations.

Wish I could help in a real way. Please keep us posted.

I know I need professional help, a therapist. But it's not easy for me to just decide and go. I don't feel like they can help me and i dont feel comfortable talking to one in an office about my situation. all they gonna do is put me on medication and probly make it worse. no1 can help. not even god is helping me deal with it. its a self struggle, a continuous cycle of evil that u cant get out of.

 

[Shalynne]

I know I need professional help, a therapist. But it's not easy for me to just decide and go. I don't feel like they can help me and i dont feel comfortable talking to one in an office about my situation. all they gonna do is put me on medication and probly make it worse. no1 can help. not even god is helping me deal with it. its a self struggle, a continuous cycle of evil that u cant get out of.

I've never had the nerve to try anything stronger than St. John's Wort, 'cause I've seen others suffer bad reactions from anti-depressants.

From the sounds of things, psych meds may not be the answer, and I'd never push 'em anyway. I was thinking more of the type of counseling that helps with decision-making, and maybe with options open to you in the military. Practical stuff. Sorry I wasn't clear.

But I also understand how it can be tough to go to some office and open up.

Whatever you do, my thoughts are with you. :hug:

 

[RockyXX]

I've never had the nerve to try anything stronger than St. John's Wort, 'cause I've seen others suffer bad reactions from anti-depressants.

From the sounds of things, psych meds may not be the answer, and I'd never push 'em anyway. I was thinking more of the type of counseling that helps with decision-making, and maybe with options open to you in the military. Practical stuff. Sorry I wasn't clear.

But I also understand how it can be tough to go to some office and open up.

Whatever you do, my thoughts are with you. :hug:

I tried St. John's worth for a couple months and it didnt help whatsoever. waste of money. i may decide to go talk to a chaplain rather than a psych. people say i should talk to a dietician but i know whats good for me and whats not and i dont eat anything i havent eaten all my life. its always worked for me until lately. so i dont know. i doubt the diet is the problem here.

 

[onlymep]

I tried St. John's worth for a couple months and it didnt help whatsoever. waste of money. i may decide to go talk to a chaplain rather than a psych. people say i should talk to a dietician but i know whats good for me and whats not and i dont eat anything i havent eaten all my life. its always worked for me until lately. so i dont know. i doubt the diet is the problem here.

You tend to know what's best for you I reckon. I think talking about issues is quite therapeutic in itself. It may help you identify stuff you need to address to. I know sometimes all I need to do is have a good chat with someone and I suddenly realise what I need to deal with... I realise you may have deep issues going on... but it's a start and I wish you the best.