I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes about 3 years ago, at about the same time as I began displaying signs of clinical depression. I was treated for six months for the depression (I take Glucophage and Glucotrol for the diabetes) and seemed to be doing well. However, six months later and I am worse than before. Do these things go hand-in-hand or am I dealing with two separate issues here?
To more adequately address you're question, I consulted with Cynthia Black, an expert on diabetes. According to Cynthia, "Blood glucose levels do affect mood, but not so much over a long period of time. It's when they are 'high' or 'low' that moods are generally affected. If her glucose levels are under control, I can't see this being the problem."
I asked Cynthia if there could be other causes of your depression besides your diabetes. Her reply was, "There is one thing you might check out, and that is the thyroid. Often associated with diabetes, the pancreas and thyroid are both of the same gland 'family'. Hypothyroidism is a major cause of depression and weight gain (though that may not be a problem here). At any rate it might be worth mentioning to her doctor. One other thing could be a vitamin deficiency. Lack of B1 or B12 can cause depression, low blood pressure and lack of energy."
Cynthia also mentioned that you may be suffering from what is called "chronic sorrow" rather than clinical depression. What the term chronic sorrow refers to is the fact that diabetes creates the need for major long-term lifestyle changes. Coping with these changes and the feelings they engender is stressful. For example, the foods we eat are a very important part of our lives. Something so simple as not being able to join in a celebratory piece of birthday cake can leave one feeling disconnected from the group and resentful. For you to feel sad is a normal reaction to an illness that has taken away so much from you. Knowing that this illness is chronic is a great burden to bear.
The good news about chronic sorrow is that those who have it do not truly have clinical depression. Those with chronic sorrow also do not need medications and psychological treatment. What they do need to empathy and support.
