Depression and Diabetes????

Little confession here... I have suffered from major depression since '05. I am and have been in therapy and on meds for about 2-1/2 years. My therapist mentioned last Friday that diabetics have a much higher incidence of depression than the general public, and that I was possibly predisposed to it. I am curious if anyone else here has had any problems with depression. I checked online, and sure enough.... I found that diabetics have a 3-4 times the rate of depression compared to the general public, and many studies are now finding that the depression came BEFORE diagnosis, whereas it used to be thought that it was a "side effect". Does anyone else here have a history of depression... not trying to pry... just curious if I'm the only one.

(((Hugs to all of my HW family))),

Bear

 

I have had seven suicide attempts when I was younger. My diabetes came first, but I have suffered from major depression. My biggest help to keep me from spiraling downward is the man I married. I still have a tendency to get very depressed but I am able to get back out of it fairly quickly now. I'm actually battling it a little today.

I'm learning all kinds of goodies in this forum since I joined a few weeks ago.  Now this one, diabetes and depression.....who knew?  I didn't.  I've never been so low or down in all of my life, but I attributed it to this new medicine I'm on for my neuropathy (topamax).  For a while there, I thought I was losing my mind.  I really do think it's both though.  I've never been this down, ever.  I'm sleeping 14 to 18 hrs a day.  When I'm awake I'm staring at things for hours on end.  I'm hanging on for my doc appt on Friday.  And I'm going to ask for a pscyh (sp?) referral.  Moved here few years ago and don't know anyone. 

Now here's a silly question, so pls don't laugh.  Is there a medical test to show you are depressed?  Like a blood test or another lab test?  Is there a chemical imbalance?  How does a stranger who has never met you before know if you are or are not depressed?  OK, I heard somebody snicker.......

It is very common for persons with chronic illnesses to have depression. I have been on antidepressants for yrs. I started on them back in the early 90's because of my Crohns. My husband was on them for his COPD . It comes from having to deal with a disease or illness that is long term or chronic. Something that you feel you have no control over. So the Dr's add antidepressants and antianxiety drugs whic do help a lot.


Sally
T-2 Diabetic since 2001,Crohns Illietis diagnosed in 1985 have had it since 60's.

Oh boy ... how timely!

I am soooooo depressed! Have been for a couple of months now. My doctor prescribed Lexipro last Thursday and I had anxiety attacks all day Friday and Saturday. Have stopped the Lexipro and will start something new at the end of the week.

Depression runs in my birth family ... I have what's referred to as a "sensitive temperment" and I have to work HARD at pointing out my good stuff (to myself!!!).

This diagnosis has certainly not helped. The neuropathy diagnosis really threw me, too. Or again. Or both

So ... if this isn't too personal, what do you all take? Does it change your bs readings at all? I'm looking for a substitute for Lexapro!

Hmmmmmm ... good info. What did she hate about Lexapro?

Sounds like me Granny, LOL! I have more than I want to count... but hey we have to stick together!

((((Hugs))))

Bear

Depression and Diabetes link? I'm sure of it! It's pretty much all about hormones, right?

I had a nervous breakdown and major period of depression less than 8 years ago. The doc wanted to put me on Celexa (sp?) but, I never filled the script. I went to weekly "sessions" with my GP instead. I also ended up getting a really nasty virus that knocked me off my feet shortly after the breakdown. I never felt right after that episode. Within the next 18 months I was at the doc for blurred vision (while taking a round of Prednizone for exzema). They thought I was Type 2 because of high blood sugar, age, weight, etc. and started me on meds. It was eventually evident by the end of 2 years that I was actually a Type 1.

I can tell you there were times that I couldn't go any lower. I still have periods of depression but, I do my best to recognize them. My emotions fluctuate with my blood sugars and it is often the first "sign" for me that I'm trending low (or even sometimes high). It's hard to appreciate sometimes but, the body is like running a marathon when blood sugars vary significantly. I hate those days I wwake up high, go low by lunch, go high after dinner, then give me something completely different to start with the next day. It can just be exhausting some days

Sorry to go on... in a blabby mood today

Cheers,
Kris

Hi, I'm new here, but I thought I'd share.  I started having terrible depression and anxiety when I was 8 years old, and then was diagnosed with type I when I was 10.  I don't know that the two are related in my case, because the type I (sudden onset) came after the depression by two years.

Murphey, I just thought I'd share that Topomax, from my understanding, can be used for neuropathy but is also a psychoactive drug, often used as an anti-psychotic.  I had a doctor (a real quack, in my opinion) who put me on it once.  I felt HORRIBLE.  I don't know that it made my depression worse, but it certainly didn't make it better and made me feel really woozy and disconnected at the same time.  I got off that stuff FAST.  If it's helping your neuropathy, that's great, but just pay attention to what it does to you.  Like I said, it is psychoactive, so it can mess with your mind, for good or bad.

In the 20 years that I've been on anti-depressants, I think I've tried everything except Zoloft and Cymbalta.  I don't know that any of them had an effect on my bloodsugar, for what that's worth.  I am currently on Wellbutrin XL, Lexapro, and Abilify, and occasionally Ativan for anxiety.

Oh, and while I agree that there is definitely great stigma associated with all of this, and I totally understand if no one wants to admit they have these issues in public, I personally try to fight the stigma by telling all sorts of people.  Everyone at work knows that I see a psychiatrist and take meds for depression.  Of course, I work in a hospital so there might be more understanding than in another environment, but I choose to talk about it as if there's nothing to be ashamed of--it's just a fact of life--and hope that others follow my lead.  And of course, I did kind of establish myself there before I brought it up--I'm not suggesting you bring it up in a job interview.  But I do think the more we talk about these things and show people that perfectly "normal" people have them, the less stigma there will be.  So again, I don't blame anyone for not wanting to talk about it, but I think for those who want to, it's a good thing.

 

My doctor put me on Cymbalta last week. She tried to put me on paxil last year but I refused since I didn't think I had a problem. This was before I found out I had both Crohn's disease and then got diabetes from steroids. Now that my world has basically come crashing down on me I decided I really do need help. I'm so ready to deal with all this in a sane way.

OMGosh! Mary, you had me dying here with the icemaker line!