Diabetes and Depression

Is there a link between diabetes and depression?

Recent research shows that if you have diabetes, you are nearly twice as likely to be depressed.

Diabetes and Depression: A Two-Way Relationship

But researchers have found the link goes both ways: People between the ages of 20 and 50 who have been depressed are more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

A recent study published in Diabetes Care evaluated the medical records of 33,257 people between the ages of 20 and 95. The researchers compared the people with new-onset diabetes (defined as having developed the disease within 3years or less) with people who did not have diabetes.

When they evaluated the results they found that in adults 51 and older, depression was not a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. The people in this age group with new-onset diabetes were no more likely to have had a history of depression than people without diabetes. However, the adults between the ages of 20 and 50 with a history of depression were found to be 23 percent more likely to have diabetes. Research shows first episodes of depression usually occur in one’s 20s and 30s.

Researchers believe that depression may accelerate the onset of type 2 diabetes, possibly because of low energy levels, lack of motivation and poor dietary habits which can lead to weight gain and unhealthy habits.