Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Depressing Diabetes

(NaBloPoMo Day 17)
People with Diabetes are more likely to experience depression. This article explains a little about why. Of course, the article (and all the ones I found) talk more about T2 Diabetes than they do about T1 (though they do not specify a difference).

Here are the factors (taken from the sites I found) I would think relate to T1 and Depression (for either T1 peeps or their caregivers):
  • The rigors of managing diabetes can be stressful and lead to symptoms of depression.
  • Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression.
  • Depression affects your ability to perform tasks, communicate and think clearly. This can interfere with your ability to successfully manage diabetes.
  • You may feel alone or set apart from your friends and family because of all this extra work.
  • The cost from Diabetes can be overwhelming and lead to depression.

Diabetes Fact #17:People with T1 or T2 Diabetes are more likely to experience depression than their peers without diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #16: The out of pocket cost of managing T1 Diabetes is EXPENSIVE.

Diabetes Fact #15: Having Type 1 and getting an illness (especially a tummy bug) CAN be dangerous.

Diabetes Fact #14: Without insulin, a person with T1 Diabetes would DIE within ONE week.

Diabetes Fact #13: Type 1 Diabetes usually strikes children, adolescents, and young adults, but it CAN be diagnosed in adults as well.

Diabetes Fact #12: It is important for families of Diabetic children or the people with Diabetes themselves to genuinely try to understand what we go through, to learn about Diabetes along with us, and to support us through encouraging comments.

Diabetes Fact #11: Diabetes is ALL consuming. It is NOT our life, but it is a HUGE part of it.

Diabetes Fact #10: Parents of children with Diabetes HATE when people say "I could NEVER do it!" when referring to the management of their kid's disease. In reality, YOU could, and WOULD do it if you HAD to. We probably had the same thoughts as you and now look at us, doing it 24/7.

Diabetes Fact #9: The term "Juvenile Diabetes" is outdated. We now call it "T1 Diabetes" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetes". People with this type of Diabetes will NEVER outgrow it. EVER. They will have this relentless disease until a CURE is found.

Diabetes Fact #8: A cure would be great, but a long life without complications is a close second for people with T1 Diabetes.






*Disclaimer: I am a mom of a T1 Diabetic child. I am NOT a doctor. I just play one in real life. Please do not take anything in this post or any other post on this blog as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns of your own, please seek advice from your doctor.*

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Great fact Tracy...one I don't think the general public thinks about at all. It is true. In many informative books..."D" can accompany "D". I am sure it can become a whirl-wind that spirals out of control.

Heather said...

Should note it can cause depression in the caregivers as well....Just one more thing to worry about. Thanks for informing people though.

Rachael said...

This is a great post. I hate that "depression" has such a horrid stigma! We are expected to be emotionless super women that can do everything, look good, and still have a homecooked meal on the table. For crying out loud life is hard with out D, let alone having such a consuming disease. People forget diabetes is a "family" disease. You may not personally have it but you live life you do! (((HUGS))) to you! D Mamas are superheros!!

Karen said...

Thank you for posting about this. I think diabetes and depression is something that happens a lot, and yet is not talked about much.

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