The Mind-Body Connection: Diabetes and Mental Health

Have you ever heard the term “mind-body connection?” It means our mental health can impact our physical health, and vice versa.

Research shows that mental health conditions, like depression, can increase the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes.

According to the CDC:

• People with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.
• People with diabetes are 20% more likely to have anxiety at some point in their life.

Depression and diabetes

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in daily activities. It can get in the way of how you manage your tasks and health – including taking care of your diabetes. The CDC estimates only 25% to 50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated.

Anxiety and diabetes

When nervousness becomes frequent, feels frightening, and interferes with daily activities, it might be a sign of a clinical anxiety disorder. Facing a long-term condition can cause anxiety in some people. Your blood sugar levels can be affected too – stress hormones make blood sugar rise or fall unpredictably. Managing diabetes may be more difficult if you have anxiety.

Get the help you need & deserve

If you think you might have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, get in touch with your healthcare team right away for help getting treatment. You can even ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health counselor who specializes in chronic health conditions. The earlier you get treatment for your mental health, the better your quality of life – and your diabetes – will be.