Are Diabetes and Mental Health connected?
Information on vital health topics can often be overwhelming, yet it is important that individuals managing mental illness understand the connection between diabetes and mental health.
Type 2 diabetes is a severe health condition resulting from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. It is largely driven by lifestyle and genetic factors, including physical inactivity, age over 45, family history, and being overweight.
The Connection
Research indicates a complex and strong link between diabetes and various mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia:
Elevated Risk: Studies show that individuals diagnosed with depression are approximately 60% more likely to develop diabetes than the general population.
Mental Illness as a Factor: Evidence suggests that serious mental illness (SMI) may be an independent risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, potentially unrelated to weight.
Treatment Impact: Certain psychiatric medications can influence the body's metabolic signals, affecting appetite, energy, and weight, which in turn elevates the risk for diabetes.
Shared Biological Pathways: Both conditions are impacted by the body's regulation of energy, hormone balance, and inflammation.
Managing a mental illness does not mean an individual must passively accept weight gain or Type 2 diabetes. People have significant control over their health outcomes.
Helping yourself
Here are five ways that you can reduce your health risks by focusing on daily habits:
1. Eat Well: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, which support the gut-brain axis, to provide vital nutrients and manage appetite and cravings.
2. Get Moving: Start with simple, daily activities such as walking or stretching and gradually build up your routine; this will lower blood pressure, reduce insulin resistance, and improve sleep and mood.
3. Prioritize Sleep: Maintain a cool, dark bedroom and limit artificial light before bedtime to regulate your metabolism, inflammation, body weight, and mood.
4. Find Support: Connect with peer support groups to learn management strategies and build crucial social connections, which in turn builds confidence and provides valuable shared knowledge.
5. Be Your Own Advocate: Discuss your total health openly with your doctors, asking about medication side effects and exploring alternative options, to ensure your care plan is tailored to your specific health needs.
Because diabetes and mental health are closely interconnected, taking a comprehensive, whole-person approach to wellness is crucial for prevention and management. Making your own healthy habits is a big step towards living a healthier life by reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
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