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Do blood glucose levels affect your mood or does your mood affect your blood glucose levels?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that can be tiring and worrying for you. Looking after your diabetes means checking your blood glucose levels regularly, taking medication and or insulin, following a healthy eating plan and doing regular activity. Diabetes is with you 24 hours a day and this constant pressure may eventually take its toll. You may experience times of stress, anxiety and even depression. Studies show that having diabetes can double your risk of developing depression.

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Separate to depression, anxiety or burnout, diabetes can affect your mood if your blood glucose levels are either too high or too low. When your blood glucose levels are higher than 15.0mmol/L (hyperglycaemia) you may go to the toilet more often, be thirstier and feel very tired. This can lead to irritation or frustration. High blood glucose levels can even affect the way you think and feel such as feeling confused or agitated because your brain is getting too much glucose.

Blood glucose levels less than 4.0mmol/L (hypoglycaemia) can also affect mood and behaviour because your brain is not getting enough glucose. This can include feeling teary, becoming aggressive or angry and not being able to concentrate.

When your blood glucose levels are not within target it can lead to feelings of:

• worry
• guilt
• anxiety
• depression

These feelings may be due to worrying about your health and the possibility of developing complications in the future.

How can my feelings/ mood affect my diabetes?

Feeling stressed or anxious can have a negative effect on your blood glucose levels because your body releases stress hormones. These hormones rise to help the body’s stored energy (glucose) get to the cells quickly. In people who have diabetes, this extra energy has trouble getting to the cells because the insulin your body produces is not able to do its job properly. This can lead to high blood glucose levels.

When you are feeling down or depressed you are less likely to look after your diabetes. You may not feel like being active, taking your insulin and/or medication, eating healthy foods and you may overeat. This can lead to high blood glucose levels.

Who can help?

Please remember, you are not alone. It may be difficult to lose feelings of depression or anxiety on your own so speaking to someone may help. You can talk to your:

• GP
• endocrinologist
• diabetes educator
• dietitian
• psychologist/ counsellor
• spiritual leader
• family and friends