When diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise or drop, it can lead to feelings like anger, anxiety, or depression. In some cases, anger can lead to physical or emotional abuse.
Among diabetic, higher blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, has historically been associated with anger or sadness, while blood sugar dips, or hypoglycemia, has been associated with nervousness. Persons with diabetes are not the only ones vulnerable to mood disturbances as a result of blood sugar fluctuations.
Because glucose is a brain food that increases self-control, those who have difficulty metabolizing glucose should have less self-control. Low levels of self-control are linked to high levels of aggression [Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990]. Diabetes is a disorder characterized by the inability to metabolize glucose.
Diabetic rage and aggressive behavior are real. Diabetes can be hard to live with. Frustration and irritability are common. These are normal human emotions, especially in the face of living with a serious and difficult disease like diabetes.
Diabetes personality disorders aren't real; there is no official medical or psychiatric diagnosis of such a disorder. Diabetes can, however, cause temporary changes in personality. Specifically, blood sugar swings affect mood and personality.
Effects of diabetes on relationships
Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes may place strain on relationships due to the factors we describe above. Also, having any chronic condition can increase the need for emotional support and the potential for frustration and tension, which can lead to conflict.
The risk of high cholesterol was 26% higher in white women and 35% higher in white men who reported low levels of childhood abuse compared to their peers who were not abused. White men also were 81% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if they experienced occasional or frequent abuse.
Diabetes is an example of secondary psychosis. General secondary psychotic symptoms—like those in diabetes—primarily include: Visual hallucinations. Delusional thinking. Confusion.
Fear of hypoglycemia is a specific and extreme fear evoked by the risk and/or occurrence of low blood glucose levels. Fear of hypoglycemia affects one in seven people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. These fears can also affect family members.
People with type 1 diabetes are at a heightened risk for mental health issues, including diabetes distress, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. However, these are all treatable disorders. It is important to pay attention to your feelings about having diabetes or taking care of someone who has diabetes.
High blood glucose impairs your body's ability to use glucose for energy needs. Dehydration from increased urination also can leave you feeling fatigued.
If diagnosed and treated in the right way, early on, diabetes can be managed so that people go on to live long and healthy lives.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage and reduced blood flow in the vagina that can lead to dryness. This can cause mild to severe pain during sex. Depression may also interfere with sexual desire. This may make it hard to talk about sexual concerns with your partner or healthcare provider.
Low libido, or sexual desire, is a real problem—and one that affects people with diabetes more than those without. Men and women experience low libido as a result of poorly managed diabetes. If your sex drive is stalled, first look to your diabetes management and take steps to lower your blood glucose levels.
More than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don't know they have it. 96 million US adults—over a third—have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 of them don't know they have it. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States (and may be underreported).
Some people don't notice any symptoms at all. Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you're an adult, though more and more children and teens are developing it. Because symptoms are hard to spot, it's important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet Avoid fad diets and focus on a “whole food” diet that emphasizes whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits/vegetables. Try to eat limited amounts of or no meat, processed foods or sugar-sweetened beverages.
Then, when blood sugar is uncontrolled because diabetes is poorly managed, clear thinking is impaired and mood swings can ensue, exacerbating bipolar symptoms.
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. And effectively managing one can help with the other.