Depression is not generally listed as a complication of diabetes, however, it can be one of the most common and dangerous complications. The rate of depression in diabetics is much higher than in the general population. A depressed person may not have the energy or motivation to maintain good diabetic management. Depression is frequently associated with unhealthy appetite changes. The suicidal diabetic adolescent has constant access to potentially lethal doses of insulin.

Being diagnosed with diabetes is a major life stress. It requires a large number of physical and mental accommodations. The individual must learn about a complex system of dietary and medical interventions. Lifestyle, work, and school schedules may have to be altered. This can consume a lot of energy for both the individual and his or her family. Just as important, are the psychological adjustments. One must adjust to a new view of oneself. For those who liked to see themselves as invincible, this may be particularly difficult.

Often times, diabetics newly diagnosed may walk away with two or more prescriptions and feel like they're taking too many medications. Often they weren't taking any medications before they were diagnosed with diabetes. Medications can be expensive and have disagreeable side effects. There is also a potential for dangerous interactions among medications the more of them you take. Remember, in general, the risks of the medications are outweighed by the benefits in protecting you against potentially fatal complications. Some people may see starting medications as a failure of their own efforts to make healthy changes, but that's not true. Efforts to improve your lifestyle are good and should be continued. Without those lifestyle changes, you may have to take higher doses and more medications.

Many newly diagnosed diabetics go through the typical stages of mourning. These are denial, anger, depression and acceptance.

•  Denial : This can be one of the more dangerous stages of the grief process. It may not occur only once. Many individuals cycle back to this phase several times. The honeymoon phase, associated with early Type I diabetes, may reinforce denial. Denial is a common stance for adolescent diabetics.

•  Anger : It really does seem unfair. The type II diabetic, trying to lose weight, may envy heavier people who seem to enjoy good health. One might erupt at someone who innocently offers a desert. Unfortunately, anger can drastically affect glucose levels.

•  Depression : Mild depressive feelings are a normal part of grieving and adaptation. As long as they are not pervasive or prolonged, they may not be harmful. However, when the depression lasts a long time, becomes severe or interferes with diabetic management, one should seek prompt treatment.

•  Acceptance : Individuals achieve different degrees of acceptance and inner peace. Some will need to experience the denial, anger and depression several times as they move through different phases of life and different stages of diabetes. Some people move through a chronic disease to a state of much greater self-knowledge. They may actually say that the diabetes was, in part, a blessing. Through their close attention to diet and exercise, and their close monitoring of stress levels, they have arrived at a deeper understanding of themselves and their relations to others. They realize that for all human beings, life is vulnerable and precious.

Often, individuals with depression do not realize that they are depressed. It is easy to attribute the symptoms of depression to the diabetes. This is particularly difficult since depressed diabetics may have poorer glucose control. Sometimes a spouse or close friend can give good feedback. Medical professionals or mental health clinicians may be the best ones to determine what is due to diabetes and what is due to depression. Communicate with your regular doctor to coordinate the treatment of the depression with treatment of the diabetes. Read on to understand how stress affects the body and things you can do to naturally improve your state of mind.