Is There a Link Between Depression and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not being able to regulate blood sugar or the pancreas stops making blood sugar. Although the exact causes of Type 2 diabetes are unknown, being obese seems to be a high risk factor. Just what causes depression also makes doctors scratch their heads, although genetics seem to play a big role. But many people with Type 2 diabetes will also have depression or will soon develop depression, according to "Depression For Dummies" (Wiley Publishing; 2003.)

According to a decade long study by the Harvard School of Public Health published in November of 2010, 17 percent of women already diagnosed with depression developed Type 2 diabetes than women without depression. However, 29 percent of women that first were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were more likely to then get depression. This study looked at the medical histories of 55,000 American women. What's going on?

Depression First

People who already suffer from depression make poor food choices. They want comfort food that's often loaded with fat and sugar. One common symptom of depression is that a person is tired all of the time. So, that could lead to eating too much and not exercising enough. Many depressives also smoke or abuse alcohol, which can also lead to weight gain.

People with depression have problems caring about what will happen to them in the future. These feelings do not exactly give anyone motivation to start or continue of a diet or exercise program. Also, many depressives report that they feel doomed to have a bad life or feel they cannot be cured. So, getting Type 2 diabetes or another chronic illness on top of depression is almost expected. However, there hasn't been a study to prove that last speculation.

Diabetes First

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness that greatly impacts one's daily life is bound to make anyone feel blue. But not everyone diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes will develop depression. Any symptoms of depression should not be ignored or considered "normal" as part of Type 2 diabetes. If a diabetic does not see any hope for getting help with diabetes, they feel more depressed. As the depression worsens, so does the diabetes. These two ailments feed off of each other.

Antidepressants First

One very interesting detail in the Harvard study was that women on antidepressants (29 percent) developed diabetes more often than women already diagnosed with depression (17 percent.) Antidepressants are prescribed off-label for many other ailments other than depression, such as to prevent migraines. But there have not been other studies to definitely link antidepressant use with developing Type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Another theory touted by the Harvard study was that Vitamin D deficiently was the reason why women with depression were more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes and or depression. This backs up a 2010 British study about senior citizens becoming more prone to depression when they suffered Vitamin D deficiency. People with depression do make poor food choices and may not get enough sunlight. But this is still a theory and more studies need to be done.

References:

"Depression For Dummies." Laura L. Smith, PhD & Charles H. Elliot, PhD. Wiley Publishing; 2003.

Food Consumer.org. "Depression Linked to Diabetes: What's the Missing Link?" http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Vitamins/depression_linked_to_diabetes_2311100705.html

The Mayo Clinic. "Diabetes and Depression: What's the Link?" Maria Collazo-Clavell, MD. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-and-depression/AN02011

Medscape.com. "Clinical Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression in Older Adults. " Sept. 23, 2010. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729289