Diabetes and Mood Swings

[Scarlet_SC]

My daughter has had diabetes for 25 years (type 1) and is having a battle with anxiety, depression and terrible mood swings.  Is this normal?

[JDRF-Team-gg]

Hi Scarlet.  The information you obtain on this website does not come from medical professionals, so any information should be reviewed with your daughter's healthcare team.  We consist of people who are either living with diabetes themselves or are directly related to someone who has diabetes.

Anyone living with a chronic disease such as diabetes, can be prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings.  You ask if it's normal, and I would think that we all deal with one or more of these at some time in our lives.  It's how we deal with it that's important.  If your daughter has good blood glucose control and manages her diabetes well, she may not have as much of a problem handling such distresses.  If she is not in good control, then what may typically be a part of life for most of us may become a major issue for her and may require professional help.  Whatever her circumstance is, she will need your love and support to help her through it.  I am glad that you've taken a step toward helping your daughter by trying to educate yourself through out website.  I hope that others who may have dealt with anxiety, depression or mood swings will share their experiences with us to help you more.

[JDRF Team SGG]

I agree with the answer given above, and just want to add that if glucose levels are either higher OR lower than normal, this physical problem can affect moods. Many people comment that their type 1 children become irritable or cranky when glucose levels are out of whack, and so a very physical reason may be behind some of her problems if her glucose levels are not in good control. So even if the problem is mostly rooted in her emotional inability to cope with stresses in life (and maybe with having a disease like type 1 diabetes), maintaining very good glucose control will certainly help remove any possible physical reasons for irritability or depression. It can only help to look closely at how tightly her sugars are controlled.

But that being said, many people with chronic illnesses do require professional help, for the emotional toll is great when dealing with a daily tightrope walk that we can never get a break from walking. Some doctors actually believe that ALL type 1 diabetics should be under the care of a therapist to help us deal with this stress in a healthy manner. Feelings of anger, depression, and denial are really very common.

[krushing]

My husband is a Type 1 for 20 years now.  Mood swings are VERY common when the blood glucose is not right.  When his is high he is very irritable, cranky and short tempered.  We go check it and sure enough, it's high.  After he takes some insulin, he's back to his happy go lucky self.

[DragonflyDesign]

Hello-type 1 for 30 years and depression has been with me since my teens. Sadly, I didn't ask for help until my 30s. My Diabetes control actually became better after starting an antidepressant. My health improved greatly in one year with treating the depression, getting a new pump, and dropping 20 pounds. My only regret is not getting help in my 20s.

[luluhaggis]

I am so glad I have found this site. It is now 2 years since I was diagnosised with Type 1 and I am having a really hard time with mood swings. Im am having similar feelings I had before I was diagnosed but my blood sugar levels are relatively under control never very high. I am having regular emotional outburst- very angry, very frustrated, very abusive, a lot of crying and screaming. I feel completely out of control, like im going crazy (losing my mind). I feel so down. Im actually jealous of people who have a healthy pancreas - how sad is that!?I feel angry with myself that im not doing a better job. If I was life would be rosy. I beat myself up over why , if im doing everything  correct then my sugar levels should be perfect. It has started to affect my relationship with my husband. Im giving him such a hard time - i feel really guilty about this. He doesnt deserve it as he is such a loving and supportive husband. Its almost like my personality has changed and i dont like who ive become. Im due to have an insulin pump fitted in a couple of weeks i hope this will help me get tighter control. I take regular exercise, im not overweight, most of the time my sugars range from being in 'the zone' to as high as 14 - I dont know why im behaving like this. I feel embrassed bringing this up with my consultant as I get very emotional. Is this part of being diabetic?

[jenny30]

Hi, my son has had diabetes for 4 years now.  He is 6 years old.  He gets very angry and irritable when his blood sugars are high or low.  He will start screaming, sometimes goes around and punches furniture, and says very angry words.  Im not sure if this is normal with type 1 diabetes in kids.  I feel helpless when this happens.  I treat the high or low sugars immediately, when insulin goes in affect or i need to give him food for low blood sugars, and he starts to feel better he is back to himself.  When he gets in these moods i let him get his anger out!!  Anyone have any suggestions?

[momalexander]

I am so glad everyone agrees that diabetes has a profound effect on your moods.  My son was diagnosed with type I almost one year ago.  I have never seen a 5 year old with so much anger.  His HgbA1c was 8.2 at his last check up.  He's had a pump since July, so his diabetes management is getting better--but there is much room for improvement.  Honesty, comparing the lifesyle changes including diet, insulin, exercise--the mood swings have been THE MOST difficult change.  I ask my son why he thinks he's so angry ,and he answers "I don't know".  This breaks my heart because I feel so helpless.  I'm afraid these mood swings are going to affect our relationship. I've decided to ask our endocrinologist for a consult to some psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist--whatever, to help us figure it out.  Maybe some meditation classes?  I don't know...any advice or experiences would be appreciated.  I feel like a horrible parent because I cannot seem to help my son.

[VikKiSaM]

I am a 22 years old and I have Type 1 Diabetes for coming up to 3 years: feels like I’m part of AA writing this! But saying that I’m glad I am and not really that ashamed but pleased that I am taking the first steps to improve my life and those affected by my mood swings! The biggest effect it has it on my fiancée and I only know that as he has told me that’s it’s my sever mood swings with him that are the problem with our relationship. After reading this website I believe this also. I think my family think this too but try to be supportive and wouldn't mention them through fear of approaching me about them. Although I researched type 1 diabetes a lot when diagnosed and think I know a lot I have either been in denial or just not known these were such a Big problem for diabetics. My control is slacking and I’m not that consistent with my diet and exercise, generally my levels are around 15, Part of the day in the correct 7 - 10 but sometime reach 22. I know I should be better and today is the day when I begin from the beginning. I shall call my specialist in the morning to book an appointment to discuss this with someone in person. My partner thinks I have changed lots and after reading how we can discuss something and then forget all about it Is worrying but makes sense that I’m soo forgetfully of conversations we have, probably because my levels were high. I have just left my partners after a row and handed the engagement ring back. Checked m level it was 19.9. That’s why I’m now researching and writing this. I know I have a problem and really want to address it and fix it. I have never been angry or sad the fact I have this condition until more recently when is ruining a good thing. I hope that in a few weeks/months my life will be back on track. Good Luck to one and all!! xx p.s sorry its so long lot to get off my chest!

[VikKiSaM]

Also, ANY comments, good or bad will be soo greatly appreciated. I want help and want to be hapy in all my life again. :) xxx

[Alex_X_18]

this can happen I've been diabetic since I was a kid almost 10 years now actually,....
when my sugars are low I experience anxiety and get disorented easily

and when my sugars are high
it makes me hyper or tired from haveing to over exet myself which normally makes me aggitated very easily

my advice is to tell your daughter to check her sugars 6 times a day
which avrages out to about once every 2 hours basicly it makes it much easir to treat your sugars before they spin out of control also she can provide her sugars to her doctor
who can make adjustments to her medicine