The Effect of Diabetes on Your Mood

Diabetes not only affects your blood sugar, putting you at risk for significant health complications, including heart and chronic kidney disease, nerve damage as well as vision and hearing loss; it can affect your mental well-being. The disease can result in diabetes mood swings, which can be attributed to changes in blood sugar levels. Diabetes mood swings also are tied to stress from dealing with the disease.

Researchers have been trying to understand diabetic mood swings. To understand if there is a connection between blood glucose and mood, researchers conducted a review of studies published up to May 2019 regarding glucose variability and mood in adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. [1]

Some studies in people with diabetes suggested that both hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) could cause anxiety, sadness and agitation. Researchers also noted that glucose self-monitoring could have an impact on diabetes mood, with a potential for emotional responses, oftentimes negative and related to a sense of failure.

The results of the review, according to researchers, did not provide clear evidence of a link between glucose variations within a day and mood swings in adults with diabetes. Researchers did, however, find a significant association between a higher rate of glucose following a meal and more negative mood symptoms in those with Type 2 diabetes, which they said warranted further study. Regarding Type 1 diabetes, other studies suggested a possible cumulative effect of multiday glucose variation on depressive mood assessed retrospectively in Type 1 diabetes adults. Researchers said it would take more experimental and observational studies with larger populations over a longer period to draw firm conclusions.

Watch your blood sugar levels

With the possibility changes in blood sugar levels may have an impact on diabetes mood swings, you want to stay in your target range. The American Diabetes Association reports that generally target ranges are:[2] 

·         Before a meal (pre-prandial plasma glucose): 80–130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

·         1-2 hours after beginning of the meal (postprandial plasma glucose): less than 180 mg/dL

Diabetes mood symptoms related to low sugar include: [3]

·         confusion

• nervousness or anxiety
• hunger
• difficulties with coordination, concentration, and decision making
• aggression, irritability, and impatience
• personality and behavioral change

High blood sugar levels can cause the following symptoms that may affect diabetes mood:[4]

• difficulty concentrating
• excessively thirsty
• feeling tired or having low energy
• feeling that you must urinate frequently

Stress impacts diabetes

In addition to the usual stress that you feel over work, finances, family issues and more, the additional challenge of managing your chronic illness daily can cause even more stress. Daily diabetes self-care includes glucose testing, foot care, exercise, dietary changes/food preparation, and taking multiple medications.

Stress can lead to unhealthy behavior, including poor eating habits or smoking, which can result in high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. These conditions can make managing your diabetes even more challenging. [5]

Stress also can boost sugar, which makes managing diabetes even harder. Severe physical stress can promote insulin resistance and increase blood sugar. When you experience stress, your body triggers “the fight or flight response.” The brain signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol is the key player in stress-induced blood sugar imbalance. While the release of cortisol ensures immediate energy, it also reduces insulin sensitivity, which impairs glucose absorption and raises blood sugar. Over time, this can contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes. [6]

The impact of stress on mood

Research suggests that chronic stress can lead to or intensify mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.[7] According to the CDC, people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes. Only 25 percent to 50 percent of those with diabetes who have depression are diagnosed and treated. Without treatment – therapy, medicine or both – depression gets worse not better. [8]

Also, anxiety is common in people with diabetes. Up to 50 percent of those with diabetes report having anxiety in any given 18-month period.[9]

Ways to manage stress

While some level of stress will always be with you, there are ways to manage and reduce it.  Here are some tips:

Try to remain positive: It is easy to focus on the negative when things challenge or trouble you. But it is important to find good in each area of your life. Focusing on the good can boost your spirits during the bad times.

Talk to your health care providers about your feelings: Once you acknowledge your distress, talk to your doctor, nurse, diabetes educator and any other health care providers who are part of your care and treatment. They can help solve your concerns and may suggest other health care providers who can help.

Talk to friends and family: Your friends and family can be a great source of help in relieving stress. Be open with them about your feelings and let them know when you need them to help you.

Exercise Daily: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. The American Diabetes Association recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise a week.

Try meditation: When you meditate you focus your attention and clear your mind of thoughts to give you a sense of calm and peace and achieve balance.

Join a support group: Connect with people who have diabetes. Talking with people who understand what you are going through can help lower your stress.

Take up a hobby: Take up something you enjoy and that helps shift the focus from your stress. Gardening, knitting, painting, or even simply reading can help take your mind off things you worry about.

To deal with stress and anxiety and avoid diabetes mood swing, follow your care plan and pay attention to what you are feeling. The goal is to find healthful ways to deal with changing moods and stress.