Managing PTSD May Reduce the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Experiencing a traumatic event can have life altering implications. For many individuals, the traumatic event often results in the development of mental health complications, including depression and anxiety. For some individuals, the mental health complication may result in the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

With PTSD, the management of emotional or mental health complications can be quite complex. Compounded by this, the development of PTSD may also lead to the development of physiological complications, including the development of type 2 diabetes.

When suffering from PTSD, it is important that your health care team approach your care with not only the emotional and psychological complications in mind, but also managing any co morbid health complications. Because medication management of type 2 diabetes is important to long term health outcomes, without it, the complications of type 2 diabetes can be persistent resulting in compounding effect to the PTSD symptoms.

If you suffer from both PTSD and type 2 diabetes, there is a cyclic effect that can occur with your health. If PTSD symptoms are not managed effectively, the psychological and emotional impact may result in your tendency to become non-compliant in your medication regimen which will only further compound your diabetes complications. Conversely, if your diabetes symptoms are not managed correctly, this can lead to continued and uncontrolled blood glucose levels which lead to psychological and depressive type symptoms.

Whether you are seeking healthcare services for type 2 diabetes or PTSD, it is important to talk with your physician about the connection between these two health complications. In many cases, when PTSD develops, there is a greater tendency to suffer from a variety of progressive illnesses and diseases. Because type 2 diabetes can lead to kidney complications and cardiovascular disease, the management of PTSD may, ultimately, be the primary focus of care.

As we continue to learn more about the mind and body connection, physicians are becoming more involved in collaborative healthcare. Rather than limiting the treatment of your condition to that which is discussed in one appointment, physicians, today, are referring patients out to specialists in other healthcare settings. In doing so, a multi-disciplinary form of care is provided working to manage existing disease and then working to build physical and emotional strength to prevent the onset of other diseases.

If you, or someone you love, is suffering from PTSD, it is important to manage all healthcare complications as the development of disease is quite common as a secondary risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. With type 2 diabetes as the most common risk factor, managing and monitoring blood glucose levels may be most important.