Diabetes and Depression

Diabetes and Depression Previous Page

Diabetes and depression are major health problems, especially for women. Research shows a definite link between depression and diabetes:

• Diabetes doubles the risk of depression.
• Depression increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially among women over the age of 45 and minorities.
• Depression reduces the ability of individuals living with diabetes to care for their health.

Both depression and type 2 diabetes can be managed. In fact, research shows that when depression symptoms improve, there is improvement in diabetes control as well. Likewise, when there is improvement in diabetes control, depression symptoms improve.

Research shows a definite link between depression and diabetes:

• Diabetes doubles the risk of depression.
• Depression increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially among women over the age of 45 and minorities.
• Depression reduces the ability of individuals living with diabetes to care for their health.

Almost 575,000 Virginians suffer from some form of depression every year, but fewer than half get the treatment they need. Both depression and type 2 diabetes can be managed. In fact, research shows that when depression symptoms improve, there is improvement in diabetes control as well. Likewise, when there is improvement in diabetes control, depression symptoms improve.