Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects mental health as well as physical health. Changes in blood sugar can directly affect mood. Having hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia attacks may affect the person's thoughts and all areas of his/her life. This situation may cause stress in the person and may also reflect negatively on social relations. Knowing that diabetes has such effects can help the person to establish healthier relationships with themselves and the people around them.
High blood sugar can affect mood as follows:
- Concentration difficulty
- Tension and anxiety
- Fatigue or low energy
At the same time, the body may release adrenaline to stabilise blood sugar. This activates the body's fight-or-flight response. This can lead to the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances
- High awareness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
Symptoms of low blood sugar that can affect mood are as follows:
- Irritability
- Feelings of anxiety
- Confusion
- Coordination, concentration and decision-making difficulties
- Aggression and impatience
- Personality and behaviour changes
The relationship between blood glucose levels and mood is bi-directional. While blood sugar can affect mood, a person's mood can also affect blood sugar levels.
Some studies show that mood and stress can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This is because under stressful conditions, cortisol supplies glucose to the body by utilising protein stores through gluconeogenesis in the liver. This energy helps the person to fight or escape from any stressor. However, in the long term, high cortisol constantly produces glucose, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
Maintaining balance in this bi-directional relationship helps to improve both one's physical and mental health, as well as the quality of the relationships one builds. Knowing the possible symptoms that may develop in blood sugar fluctuations can help both the person and those around them to better manage the situation in the management of these symptoms.
