Our emotions influence what we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat. So, feelings
can interfere with your ability to follow your diet for diabetes. If you feel that
certain foods, such as chocolate cake, are "bad," you may feel guilty after eating
a piece.If you are angry because you think you can't eat the foods you like, you may
feel resentful.If you are afraid that you may gain weight or develop other problems,
you may not eat enough food.Once you accept your feelings about diabetes and your
diet, you will be more likely to let go of these feelings; then you can more easily
learn and successfully follow a healthy diet.
To deal with your feelings effectively:
Learn about your diet for diabetes. You will be surprised to learn that you can have
all the types of foods you like. All you need to do is fit them into your meal or
snack plan.Talk with other people who successfully follow the diet for diabetes. Find
out what foods they like and how they have worked them into their meals.Try new foods
and new recipes to put some variety into your meals so you will not feel deprived.
Why Are People With Diabetes Vulnerable to Depression?
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
There are several warning signs of depression, including:
- Sadness.
- Anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
- Withdrawal from social activities.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep).
- Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
- Loss of energy or fatigue.
- Changes in appetite.
- Observable mental and physical sluggishness.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
If you (or someone you love) show signs of depression, inform your doctor immediately.
There are medications that can be prescribed to help you feel better.
How Is Depression Diagnosed?
There are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose depression. The diagnosis is based
on reported symptoms - including any problems with functioning caused by the symptoms.
How Is Depression Treated in People With Diabetes?
Depression in people with diabetes has been successfully treated with medications including
tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs
work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that help nerve cells
communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or not working properly,
messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms of depression.
Tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants work by correcting the balance of these chemicals.
Common tricyclics include Elavil, Norpramin and Pamelor. Common SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil
and Zoloft.
Common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants include:
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep)
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Changes in sexual desire and/or ability
- Exhaustion
- Muscle twitching (tremors)
- Increased heart rate
Common side effects of SSRIs include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Agitation
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Changes in sexual desire and/or ability
These side effects often go away or become tolerable over time. To minimize the side effects,
your doctor may prescribe a small dose of the medication and gradually build up to a higher
dose. Side effects also vary with the specific antidepressant used; not every drug causes all
of these side effects. Therefore, it may help to change to a different drug that is less
likely to cause a particularly uncomfortable side effect if you are having problems.
Counseling, or psychotherapy, is also often beneficial for those suffering from depression.
Meeting with a support group can also help.
What Is the Outlook for People With Depression?
The outlook for people with depression who seek treatment is very promising. By working with
your doctor or a qualified and experienced mental health care professional, you can regain
control of your life.
Maintaining a healthy diet is important for everyone, but it is especially important for
people with diabetes. Following the right meal plan can make all the difference to a person
struggling to keep their blood sugar under control. But, what is the right meal plan? How much
of which food group should you eat?
Along with a visit to a dietitian, this guide should help answer questions you may have.
Carbohydrates are one of the major food categories (the others include proteins and fats).
They provide fuel for the body in the form of glucose. Glucose is a sugar that is the primary
means of energy for all of the body's cells.
There are two ways to classify carbohydrates - simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are
sugars - like glucose, sucrose, lactose and fructose. They are found in refined sugar and in
fruits. Complex carbohydrates are the starches, which are the simple sugars bonded together
chemically -- they are found in beans, nuts, vegetables and whole grains. Complex carbohydrates
are considered healthier mostly because they are digested by the body slowly, providing a
steady source of energy. They also contain valuable amounts of fiber.
Carbohydrates, rather than fats or proteins, have the most immediate effect on your blood
glucose since carbohydrates are broken down directly into sugar early during digestion. It is
important to eat the suggested amount of carbohydrate at each meal, along with some protein
and fat.
Carbohydrates are mainly found in the following food groups:
- Fruit
- Milk and yogurt
- Bread, cereal, rice, pasta
- Starchy vegetables
Keep control of your mind and emotions and monitor your diet and positive changes will make
a huge difference in your life.
