As promised, more of the “10 things you need to know about the emotional side of diabetes” from Dr. William Polonsky of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute.

2. Overcoming Depression

Depression is a serious problem, and it can be even more serious when you have diabetes. People with diabetes are almost twice as likely to develop depression as other people. If you are depressed, diabetes can become a lot harder to handle and your blood sugars are likely to rise. When your diabetes is out of control, this can make it even harder to escape depression. It becomes a vicious circle. The good news is that there are effective treatments that can help you recover your emotional health. These treatments can also help you improve your blood sugars and feel more in control of diabetes.

• Watch for the warning signs. If you are feeling down or helpless about life, have lost your “get up and go,” or are feeling reduced interest or pleasure from the things you used to enjoy, then talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

• Take action to avoid depression. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep as often as possible, stay active, and spend time with friends each day. Include activities in your daily life that are personally rewarding and meaningful, like taking an interesting class or volunteering at a local museum. All of these can be powerful antidepressants.

• If you are depressed, don’t just wait around and hope it will go away. There are several good medications and different forms of counselling that have been proven to help people recover from depression. Speak with your doctor about getting the help you need.

While I’ve been fortunate to escape depression myself, I have met many people battling this serious problem. Having diabetes (or any illness) coupled with depression, makes life even more challenging. Please take the opportunity to put yourself first, and get the help you need. It’s not easy to ask for help, but you’ll be a stronger person for it.