Can Depression Cause Diabetes? – An In-depth Look at the Link Between the Two

According to the Archives of Internal Medicine survey report, seniors with depressive symptoms were 60% more likely to develop diabetes than those who were happier. Even with the same risk factors – diet, smoking, lack of proper exercise – these findings were still in effect. The theory given is that the stress hormone cortisol is raised when one is depressed. This raise in cortisol will increase the blood glucose levels.

Richard Rubin, Present of the ADA (American Diabetes Association) and the associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at John Hopkins University, suggests that depression is in itself a separate risk factor for diabetes. The older you are the more you will need to include depression screenings for your health.

Diabetes is a health condition where your pancreas either does not produce the right amount of insulin or where your body produces insulin but it can’t use it properly.
Type 1 diabetes is where your pancreas does not produce the right amount of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is where your body does produce insulin but it can’t use it correctly. Both of these types of diabetes have similarities and they have their differences. If you are living with this health condition you know the value of a good support system.

What is Type 1?
Type 1 diabetes is where your pancreas does not produce the right amount of insulin. Because of this, sugar enters the body cells in a reduced amount. Only one in ten diabetes sufferers are affected with Type 1 diabetes, and it is also known as insulin dependent
mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile onset diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes requires you to take insulin injections daily. Without implantation of an insulin pump, you will take an injection for the rest of your life.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are: incessant thirst, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, frequent urination, weakness, and general fatigue.
Type 1 diabetes usually is developed before age 30 and its symptoms come on quickly.

What is Type 2?
Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
This form of diabetes occurs most often after the age of 40 in overweight people.
Most of the time diet and exercise can treat this type of diabetes instead of insulin.
Symptoms form slowly and will include: burred vision, frequent urination, increased thirst, slow healing sores, irritability, frequent bladder/vaginal/or skin infections, and tingling of hands and feet.

Studies are finding that the more reports that come out, the more that the depression and diabetes link becomes a very real connection. Check your depression with screenings if you are predisposed to diabetes or if you already have diabetes. Those already with diabetes could suffer with roller coaster insulin habits due to any depressive states.