Are depressive feelings symptoms...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2007
Are depressive feelings symptoms...
2
Wed, 10-31-2007 - 2:08pm

...of diabetes?  In general, if a) I don't exercise heavily in the morning, and: b) I don't already have lunch in me, I feel like absolute $#!*--that is, until I get that second meal of the day. 


I cannot figure out what is going on.  There is clearly a pattern to my down-in-the-mouth, sometimes feel-like-I'd-rather-be-dead emotions--and they really are tied into the exercise-meal connections.


I have a thyroid nodule although my doctors say it is benign and that my thyroid levels are within normal limits.


I'm 50, in good shape, and am in menopause.


My sister committed suicide as an adult.  My mom is probably a depressive. It would be easy to assume I am one too, but...if I stick to a very rigid exercise and eating regimen, I am okay.


So has anyone ever experienced before-meal depression as a symptom of either diabetes? thyroid? menoupause?


I'm mentally exhausted with dealing with how I feel and just how rigidly I must conduct myself to feel well.


Any other ideas?


 


 


 


 


 


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 10-31-2007 - 2:55pm

Hypothyroid can show up with depression as a symptom. I believe the hormonal changes of menopause can also be a trigger. And, add to that the "forever vigilance" of managing diabetes plus a family history of depression and you've got a pretty major risk factor. Exercise is known to help alleviate some level of depression by increasing the "happier" brain chemicals. The before-meal connection might simply be that before meals, if your numbers drop, you get a bit more 'fuzzy brained' (there's a technical term for you lol) which makes any existing depressive thinking come to the forefront. KWIM? In and of itself, I don't know that depression is a symptom of diabetes BUT diabetes is a risk factor for depression.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-31-2007 - 3:17pm

Hi and welcome to the board.