Diseases of diabetes: the psyche also suffers

Diabetics often suffer from the burden of disease

More than seven and a half million people in Germany have diabetes. For many affected people, the disease is such a burden that their quality of life is seriously reduced. These patients are therefore at particular risk of developing depression. Sufferers should consult a doctor.

Lifelong attention required

Around 7.6 million Germans are diabetic. Although a large portion of diabetic patients can be well controlled without medication, many need to take medication or inject insulin, measure their blood sugar and pay attention to their diet. Because of the attention that all chronic disease requires throughout life, it is often perceived as a burden limiting the quality of life. As a result, diabetics are particularly at risk for developing depression. Patients are advised to consult a doctor.

In people with diabetes, depression is twice as common

The dark and dark autumn days are hitting a lot of people. However, in people with a chronic illness such as diabetes, depression can also be the cause of depression.

This is especially evident when symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, and appetite persist not only in a few days, but even in weeks or months.

About 12% of people with diabetes suffer from clinical depression, according to a statement from the nonprofit diabetic organization – German Diabetes Aid.

Another 18% are overwhelmed with depressive moods.

"In people with diabetes, depression is twice as common as people with metabolic health," says psychologist Dr. med. phil. Berthold Maier from Diabetes Center Mergentheim in Bad Mergentheim.

"The daily effort that diabetic patients must perform throughout their lives to ensure a good metabolism requires great discipline and motivation, and this pressure can be very stressful in the long term," says the expert. .

Stress in other areas of life and the social environment also influences the degree of stress perceived by the disease.

As a result, depression can develop.

Get medical advice

According to the psychologist, depression expresses in different ways.

"In addition to deep depression, courage and despair often suffer from anxiety, sleep disturbance or physical pain."

Therefore, it is important to recognize and treat early depression and depression.

Just in time, mental illnesses can be treated easily, says Maier: "We use antidepressants, behavior therapy or a combination of both."

Psychotherapy can help patients better accept their condition and improve both the quality of life and the prognosis of diabetes.

But many victims have trouble dealing openly with this topic. Maier advises diabetic patients not to taboo the symptoms of depression, but to talk to their family doctor or diabetologist. (Ad)