People with diabetes may experience changes in mood due to blood sugar levels, stress, or a mental health condition.

Diabetes affects more than just your blood sugar. Living with this condition can influence your mood and mental health, too.

For one, you may experience shifts in mood when your blood sugar levels are too high or low. Meanwhile, stress, depression, and anxiety can also crop up when you’re managing diabetes.

So, managing your mental health is just as important to your overall health as part of your diabetes treatment plan. Get started by understanding the link between mood and diabetes and implementing strategies to manage both your physical and emotional well-being.

While a 2020 research reviewTrusted Source has found mixed results, some evidence suggests that changes in blood sugar levels may affect how you feel and contribute to changes in mood.

How do you know if you have low or high blood sugar? Your diabetes management plan should involve frequent blood sugar readings to help you manage the condition.

According to the American Diabetes Association, target blood sugar levels can vary from person to person. Generally, target ranges are:

  • 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) before you eat a meal
  • 180 mg/dL or lower a few hours after eating a meal

Numbers below or above your target range could be the source of changing moods.

For instance, low blood sugar levels may make you feel:

  • confused
  • dizzy
  • hungry
  • irritable
  • nervous
  • shaky
  • sweaty
  • tired
  • uncoordinated
  • weak

High blood sugar levels mayTrusted Source make you feel:

  • excessively thirsty
  • extremely tired
  • like you need to urinate frequently
  • unable to focus

You may notice that you feel off if your blood sugar is high or low and that getting your level back into the target range helps improve your well-being.

You might also see a trend in your emotions when your blood sugar is low or high, so it’s important to test it when you feel a certain way.

It’s important to keep your blood sugar as stable as possible. If you experience big fluctuations throughout the day, talk with your doctor about a potential change to your treatment regimen.

The stress of a diabetes diagnosis and managing the condition over time can lead toTrusted Source feelings of being overwhelmed and diabetes burnout. Some reasons you may feel stressed include:

  • You may not be feeling well physically.
  • You may be concerned about the management plan, including the daily regimen, lifestyle modifications, and costs.
  • You may feel overwhelmed about lifelong treatment.
  • You may be exhausted from maintaining your management plan.

Stress can affect diabetes negatively. Stress that lasts for many weeks or months can lead toTrusted Source high blood sugar levels. These fluctuations can alter your overall mood.

Stress can also interfere with managing your condition. When under stress, you may feel less motivated to follow your diabetes management plan, which involves following a diabetes-friendly diet and exercising regularly.

Don’t let stress interfere with your ability to manage diabetes. Talk with your doctor about your stress levels or reach out to a diabetes educator. You can use the American Association of Diabetes Educators website to find an educator near you.

You may be at risk of developing a mental health condition if you have diabetes.

Anxiety is common in people with diabetes. Up to 50%Trusted Source of people with diabetes report having anxiety in any given 18-month period. Some symptoms of anxiety includeTrusted Source:

  • difficulty concentrating
  • heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
  • irritability
  • nausea or other digestive symptoms
  • restlessness
  • shaking or trembling
  • sleep issues
  • sweating
  • trouble making decisions
  • feelings of impending danger, panic, or doom

People with diabetes are also two to three timesTrusted Source more likely to develop depression. Some symptoms of depression include:

  • changes in eating habits
  • changes in sleep patterns
  • difficulty concentrating
  • emptiness
  • fatigue or lethargy
  • guilt
  • hopelessness
  • irritability
  • loss of interest in usual activities
  • sadness
  • thoughts of suicide or death

Need help now?

If you’re having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone.

To get help right away, consider reaching out to a free and confidential crisis helpline.

Trained crisis counselors can offer:

  • compassionate, judgment-free support for suicidal thoughts
  • guidance on finding coping strategies that work for you
  • additional resources for getting support nearby

They won’t give you advice or tell you what to do, but they can help you move from a moment of crisis to a calmer frame of mind.

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It’s important to recognize symptoms of depression and seek help right away. Depression can make it difficult to manage diabetes. The highs and lows you experience with unmanaged diabetes can lead to greater changes in mood and worsening symptoms.

Consider scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional to discuss the possibility of depression or other mental health conditions related to your diabetes.

You can inquire about mental health professionals with your insurance carrier or ask family or friends for recommendations. You can also refer to the National Alliance on Mental Illness to locate a provider.

There are many ways you can make diabetes management easier and reduce the chances of experiencing mood changes, stress, depression, or another mental health condition. Try these methodsTrusted Source for diabetes management:

  • Pay attention to your emotions: Feeling regularly frustrated or stressed may be a sign to seek more help managing your condition.
  • Talk about how you’re feeling: Members of your healthcare team, friends, and family may be able to help you find solutions that will make you feel better.
  • Ask for help when needed: For example, if you’re having difficulty managing the costs of diabetes medications and supplies, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend programs that help cover these costs.
  • Allow loved ones to pitch in: You don’t need to go it alone. The people closest to you can help remind you to take medications, monitor you blood sugar, and exercise together.
  • Connect with others who have diabetes: They are likely to understand exactly what you’re going through and can offer helpful advice on what’s worked for them. They can also help you feel less alone on your journey.
  • Take it one step at a time: For example, if you’re looking to reduce stress, make a list of tasks and work through each one separately. This can also help you recognize which tasks are more immediate and which ones you can do over time.
  • Schedule “fun” breaks: It’s important to set aside time to enjoy activities you love outside of managing diabetes, like catching up with a friend or reading a book.

There are several reasons to consider consulting a doctor about mood issues, stress, or depression if you have diabetes. Some of these include:

  • if you’re having difficulty managing your blood sugar
  • if your moods fluctuate regularly
  • if you have lost interest in daily activities
  • if you can’t stick to your diabetes management plan
  • if you feel sad or hopeless
  • if you feel suicidal — seek immediate help if this is the case

It’s common to encounter changes in mood, stress, or even depression if you have diabetes. To reduce the chances of experiencing these mental health challenges, following your diabetes management plan can help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

Never hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or a medical professional to discuss your mental health or to get help with your diabetes treatment.