Depression in Diabetes

Major depression affects ONE in FIVE Australians and is increasingly associated with many common illnesses, including diabetes. Depression affects a person’s self-care ability and thus long-term health outcomes. One study, Goldney et. Al. (2004), suggested that 24% of Australians with diabetes suffer depression, but many cases remain undiagnosed. There is a relationship between depression and poor diabetes control.

Signs and symptoms of depression include the presence of: a depressed mood for at least two weeks; loss of interest, pleasure and motivation; tiredness; loss self esteem and confidence; inappropriate guilt feelings or false beliefs and delusions; recurrent thoughts of loneliness and worthlessness; poor concentration and decision making; agitation; sleep disturbances; weight loss.

The presence of depression in a person with diabetes can result in detrimental effects on self-care behaviours which can include: poor dietary guidelines adherence; poor medication adherence; reduced exercise; reduction or cessation of blood glucose self-monitoring; neglect in person hygiene practices.  Poor self-care behaviours can result in hypo or hyperglycaemia adverse affects in the short term, and complications of diabetes caused by long-term hyperglycaemia, and of course lower quality of life.

If you notice any of the signs of depression it is advisable to consult your general practitioner as soon as practical, so that an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan can be implemented to improve your health outcomes and quality of life. Treatment may be in the form of medication, psychological counselling, social support or a combination of these.

SOURCE: Managing Clinical Problems in Diabetes, Trisha Dunning & Glenn Ward, 2008.

USEFUL sites on depression

http://www.depression.com.au/

http://www.sane.org/information/information/factsheets_%2b_podcasts.html

http://www.beyondblue.org/

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/mental-health/depression.html

DIABETES EDUCATOR - CHAT ONLINE

As mentioned in our last newsletter edition, now that we have upgraded our website to the new look, there shall now be constant upgrade development and improvement. A part of the upgrade is the coming access (by 20th December 2009) of chat Online with the pharmacist or diabetes educator. To access this all you need to do is click on the "Pharmacist Advice Online" icon or the "Diabetes Educator Online" icon, you will then be asked to post your question and will receive a response in good time by the pharmacist/diabetes educator.

BUY ONLINE

ALSO, available online via this newsletter shall be a monthly catalogue of "Pharmacist Advice" which focuses upon health information of current issues, plus provides offers for products relating to these issues as well as professional services (available as from 1/2/10). Plus attached shall be a catalogue called "Best Buys" which focuses upon product at a price including household products e.g. Radiant 650g @ $2.00 (@24/11/09).

Additional to these great offers, we also have a STORE where you can purchase diabetes related items Online! Just go to our main page and click on online store on the top LHS of the main page.

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