How Diabetes Affects Your Mental Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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People with are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes

. Only 25% to 50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated. But treatment—therapy, medicine, or both—is usually very effective. And without treatment, depression often gets worse, not better.

Can diabetes cause mental confusion?


When diabetes is poorly controlled, it can lead to delirium

. This acute state of severe confusion and behavior change is difficult to treat and is associated with higher risk for long-term cognitive impairment and even death.

What is diabetic psychosis?

Diabetes is an example of secondary psychosis. General secondary psychotic symptoms—like those in diabetes—primarily include:

Visual hallucinations

.

Delusional thinking

.

Confusion

.

Why do diabetics get so angry?

What's sometimes called “diabetic rage” can be dangerous, because it may involve behaviors you're not consciously aware of.

When your blood sugar fluctuates, spikes, or drops

, it can produce feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression. You may feel like your emotions are out of your control.

Can diabetes cause schizophrenia?


Malfunctions in how the body processes sugar that occur in diabetes and obesity could also explain mood and other mental disorders such as schizophrenia

, researchers now reveal.

Does high blood sugar affect your thinking?

High blood sugar can damage your blood vessels, resulting in poor blood circulation. And when there's insufficient blood circulation in the brain,

you might not think as clearly

. Also, too much blood sugar can increase serotonin and neurotransmitters in the brain.

Can high blood sugar affect your mind?


High blood glucose levels can affect the brain's functional connectivity

, which links brain regions that share functional properties, and brain matter. It can cause the brain to atrophy or shrink.

Do diabetics have hallucinations?

Diabetes.

You may start to hallucinate when your blood sugar is very high for a long time

. If it's over 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you might have hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. That's a serious complication of diabetes that causes extreme thirst, fever, confusion, and hallucinations.

Does diabetes cause brain atrophy?

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia,

1

and with structural brain abnormalities, such as atrophy, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and lacunar infarcts.

Can diabetes change your personality?

Feeling a range of highs and lows is not uncommon if you have diabetes.

Your blood sugar impacts how you feel and can contribute to mood swings

. Poor management of blood glucose can lead to negative moods and a lower quality of life .

Can diabetes cause emotional instability?

Diabetes affects much more than blood sugar.

It can lead to sudden mood changes that may place an emotional strain on relationships and personal life

. For some people, the stress of living with diabetes can contribute to both changes in mood and concerns about potential complications.

Can diabetes cause depression anxiety?


If you have diabetes — either type 1 or type 2 — you have an increased risk of developing depression

. And if you're depressed, you may have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together.

Does sugar cause permanent brain damage?

Throughout the body, excess sugar is harmful. Even a single instance of elevated glucose in the bloodstream can be harmful to the brain, resulting in slowed cognitive function and deficits in memory and attention. The good news, however, is this inflammatory damage from sugar

may not be permanent

.

Can diabetes cause you to hear voices?

High blood sugar may cause you to feel thirsty, tired, or nauseated.

If it gets extremely high, you might have hallucinations

.

Can metformin cause psychosis?


Psychosis secondary to metformin use is a very rare complication of oral antidiabetic drugs use

but the awareness of this condition can lead to an earlier recognition and diagnosis.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.