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.
Then, when blood sugar is uncontrolled because diabetes is poorly managed, clear thinking is impaired and mood swings can ensue, exacerbating bipolar symptoms.
Diabetes distress is when a person feels frustrated, defeated or overwhelmed by diabetes. These feelings can come and go. And it doesn't mean that you have these feelings about other parts of your life. But diabetes distress can turn into depression if you have these feelings for a while and they aren't going away.
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.
People with diabetes 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.
Changes in blood sugar can cause rapid changes in mood and other mental symptoms such as fatigue, trouble thinking clearly, and anxiety. Having diabetes can cause a condition called diabetes distress which shares some traits of stress, depression and anxiety.
High blood sugar over time damages blood vessels in the brain that carry oxygen-rich blood. When your brain receives too little blood, brain cells can die. This is called brain atrophy and can cause problems with memory and thinking and eventually can lead to vascular dementia.
Diabetic children and aggression
Diabetes is a frustrating condition and frustrations can build up over time. Aggressive reactions to high and low blood sugars are common. High blood sugars make you feel awful and low blood sugars can inhibit the brain from managing aggressive feelings so well.
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.
Symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes include extreme fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, unintended weight loss, and blurred vision.
Overactivation of this process from excess sugar intake may cause impulsive behavior that could range from ADHD, to bipolar disorder or even aggression.
It is well known that hypoglycemia can lead to psychiatric symptoms ranging from delirium and confusional states to psychosis.
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.
A few people found other's reactions and lack of understanding difficult, which made it harder to keep within their diabetic guidelines and they suffered for it the next day. Adjusting to less alcohol at social gatherings was difficult for some.
There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms in this sample (p = . 003). Approximately 35.6% of people with diabetes had both low self-esteem and depressive symptoms.
Diabetes is associated with both elevated anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders. There is evidence of a bi-directional association between anxiety and diabetes.
Studies have demonstrated that people who have diabetes, compared with people without diabetes, are more likely to develop cognitive problems. Older adults with diabetes have higher incidences of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia than those with normal glucose tolerance.
Insulin turns glucose into energy. The interference results in low blood sugar, which can cause sluggishness, confusion, and, in extreme cases, seizures and death. Diabetes in seniors, however, may be an even more chronically dangerous problem. Low blood sugar and cognitive decline can become a vicious cycle.
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.
The Stages of Change model postulates behavioural change as a process of 5 identifiable stages through which patients pass: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance [1-3].
Poorly controlled blood sugar can directly affect your emotions by causing behaviour changes and mood swings. When you get diagnosed with any chronic disease like diabetes, you will also most likely experience a wide range of emotions – from denial and anger to stress, grief, and sadness.