Now that you know what depression symptoms to look for, what do you do if you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing depression?
It is possible to manage your diabetes and depression together. The first step is recognizing the risk. If you’re concerned that you’re dealing with symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor. Your healthcare team should include mental health professionals with experience in diabetes who can help reach the right diagnosis.
Treatment usually involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. It may take time to see the impact of those changes, but getting help from professionals is the start to helping you make a difference in your diabetes management and quality of life.
Ask your diabetes care team about a therapist referral or other ways to cope. You may find different types of therapy helpful:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact each other.12
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps you regulate emotions and accept uncertainty.13
- Family therapy helps parents and children learn to communicate better and work through conflicts.14
Therapy and medication for anxiety symptoms, mood disorders, or depression also work well together, though it does take time for the medication to take effect.15 Taking action to manage your mental health is a worthwhile effort for your overall health and well-being.
If your doctor wants to prescribe medication, talk to them about any family history of mental illness and your experience with diabetes.
Along with medication and therapy, you can consider some other helpful approaches for managing your mental well-being, like monitoring your behavior patterns, practicing breathing techniques, and journaling your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.16,17
But the most important part of this experience is being aware of signs of depression and seeking help if and when they appear.
If you recognize any of the subtle mood shifts or symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one living with diabetes, it's crucial to reach out to your healthcare providers. If you are having suicidal thoughts or are worried about a friend or loved one, call a helpline or contact your local emergency services.
Mental health is as important as your physical health, and managing diabetes and depression together is possible. You can better manage your mental health and diabetes with the support of therapy, medication, or a lifestyle change.4,18