Manage Depression

Depression is a constant feeling of apathy, sadness or loss. Depression can affect your thoughts, behaviours and feelings.

Depression is common in people with diabetes. When you are depressed, your diabetes control lowers. Being depressed means you may not take good care of your diabetes.

Signs of Depression

Depression has many signs.

Think about your mood over the past 2 weeks. You may have depression if you:

• do not enjoy the activities that you often enjoyed.
• feel hopeless or sad.
• have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep.
• have low energy.
• have changes in how you eat, either more or less.
• have bad thoughts about yourself.
• find it hard to focus.
• have lost your interest in sex.
• feel angry or get annoyed easily.
• have thoughts of death or suicide. Talk to someone (such as your doctor, family member or friend) right away if you are having thoughts of death or suicide.

Take Action

• Talk to your doctor. Your doctor will help you with your stress.
• Be social. Join a group, connect with old friends, get involved in your community, or volunteer. All of these activities will help you feel less stressed. Find out more about building healthy relationships »
• Get active. Find an exercise that you enjoy and that is safe. Try to get at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Find out how to get active »