Recently we talked about symptoms of stress and ways to relieve it. Today let’s shed the light on not less important topic – depression. It is not a secret that the life of a person with diabetes is pretty challenging. Managing blood glucose level means constant attention, concern, effort, and diligence. That is why people with diabetes are more likely to struggle with depression than the average person.

According to The National Institute of Mental Health here are some symptoms of depression:

• Sad, irritable or empty mood;
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies;
• Feeling hopeless and worthless;
• Insomnia or oversleeping;
• Weight changes;
• Lack of energy, fatigue;
• Suicidal thoughts;
• Troubles with concentrating, remembering;
• Headache. 

The worst thing is that being depressed makes it more difficult to manage your diabetes and keep it under control. You may be at risk for depression if you have been experiencing any of the following signs for more than a week. In our next post I will tell you about ways of managing, treating and preventing depression in people with diabetes. Check your blood sugar regularly and protect your sensor with a patch, even if you feel tired and depressed, don’t let diabetes bring down your health. And remember, you are not alone!