Depression plays a vital role in Diabetes

Dr. Wayne Katon, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington in Seattle said that Diabetic patients who are treated for depression don’t show any improvement. This is because there is no variation in their habits.

But along with this behavioral therapy aimed at the patients encouraging them to take their medications and exercise will be effective. The results of the study are published in the journal Annals of Family Medicine. In diabetic patients depression is very common and these patients die of blood sugar illness at twice the rate of non-depressed diabetic patients.

So the researchers conducted a study which analyzed 329 diabetic patients for a year who were also treated for depression. It was found that these patients who were treated for depression showed no improvement in physical activity, taking their medications regularly, quitting smoking or paying closer attention to their nutrition.

Statistics from the American Diabetes Association shows that about 21 million people suffer from diabetes. And about 95% of those suffer from type 2 diabetes which is linked to obesity. In type 2 disease, the body's cells gradually lose their sensitivity to insulin. Diabetes can result in various complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, nerve damage, teeth and gum disease, decreased sexual function and amputation if the blood sugar is not brought under control.

Cathy Nonas, director of the obesity and diabetes program at North General Hospital, in New York City said that a proper diet, correct weight and physical activity will help improve blood sugars. Only medications will not solve the problem, it should be accompanied with lifestyle changes.

Depression is both a cause and effect of diabetes. Depression in early life may contribute the disease and hence proper treatment should be directed towards treatment of depression which will in turn help them care for themselves.