Have you ever felt so down about your diabetes that your ready to just give up? Lots of people have felt the same way you do. Some people do just give up. They stop checking their blood sugars, stop eating the right types of foods, stop exercising, and stop doing shots. This type of depression I call "Diabetes Depression". Diabetes Depression can hit any diabetic at any age.
Example:(take notice that this is not a real person but perhaps could be) Jessica is going through some difficult times in her life this past year. Both of her parents filled a divorce and are battling custody over their only daughter, Jessica. During the winter Jessica started to get really sick and went to the hospital. She found out that she had Type 1 Diabetes. At the hospital she was taught some basic things in diabetes and how to handle her diabetes. She went home with a meter, needles, insulin, and everything else she needed. At first she did her shots regularly and tested herself from time to time. A month or two later she was in more depression. This diabetes thing was to hard and was getting in the way of her life. Maybe it would go away by itself, she thought. For the next week she went off partying with friends to try not to pay attention to her home live and diabetes. She ate whatever she wanted and did whatever she wanted. One day at home she began to feel really sick again. She stayed home from school and slept on the couch. She felt very tired and wanted to sleep an awful lot. When her mom returned home from work, she found out that Jessica had passed out on the cough. Her mother quickly called the ER. Jessica went into a coma for three days all because she wasn’t handling her diabetes. She was taken back to the hospital for a week were she will be better taught about diabetes. Both, Jessica and her parent’s, will be put into counseling to help to cope with Jessica’s diabetes and the divorce issue that is hurting Jessica. Jessica’s diabetes is not just hurt right now but also will affect her later in life with eye problems or loss of feeling in her feet or arms.
These are the problems you or someone else might be having
if you have depression-
a. poor grades in school or work
b. a lot of tardiness or absences from school or work
c. aches and pains that keep you from doing what you want to do
d. poor concentration
e. loss of interest in friends, sports, or activities
f. crying all the time
g. sleeping all the time, not being able to sleep, or awakening early
h. feelings of sadness or hopelessness
i. changes in appetite
j. thoughts of suicide
It‘s VERY important that you let your parents, teacher, or other adult know that your having anyone of the problems above.
ENTER LONG TERM COMPLICATIONS HEREIf you or a family member might be depressed, there are counselors at most schools can help. You can also to a parent, doctor, clergy member, or other adults. The doctor can put you on medication to help you fight depression.
Read a real story about how Nicole from Australia dealt with her depression from the beginning. To read her story CLICK HERE.