Mumbai : The frustration caused by the everlasting treatment of diabetes often pushes a patient into depression. Psychiatrists claim in a severe stage of depression, diabetics tend to get suicidal. However, what is more alarming is the fact that diabetics don’t accept that they are suffering from depression. This leads to serious illnesses — heart ailment, poor self-control over diabetes and impaired body mass index.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), one in every five diabetics suffers from depression, which translates into 20-25 per cent of the total diabetic population. Health experts state that diabetics start suffering from depression after few years of treatment, as the disease involves complications over a period of time wherein major organs of the body get damaged or stop functioning.
According to psychiatrists, the key symptoms of depression in diabetics include irritability; the patients tend to get hyper at even minor things. Moreover, irregular sleep, lack of will power in initiating exercises, and feeling of abstinence further aggravates the problem. Dr Sagar Mundada, who is a senior psychiatrist at G T Hospital, stated that a large number of diabetics facing depression issues come to him for treatment.
“Depression among diabetics is a common phenomenon, but it is neglected as people do not want to come out in the open and admit that they are suffering from depression. We have seen many diabetics coming to us with signs of depression that they are facing for months; however, they are not ready to start therapy as they feel all the symptoms stem from diabetes. If depression is not treated on time then it can lead to long-term complications.”
He added, “We had witnessed one such diabetic who was admitted with uncontrolled sugar as he stopped taking his medication after suffering from depression. In extreme cases, people try to harm themselves or attempt suicide as their depression issues are not attended to.” Likewise, Dr Yusuf Matcheswala, head of the psychiatry ward at Masina Hospital said, “Depression is common to all diseases: this happens when people lose hope and feel worthless as they have to depend on others for their needs. Diabetics feel depressed owing to different medical and personal issues.”
