Depression and Diabetes

Research Paper # 92326

Medical and Health > Medical Studies
Medical and Health > Nutrition and Exercise
Psychology > Disorders

Discusses current research on individuals suffering from type 1 or 2 diabetes and depression.

2,473 words () | 18 sources | APA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

While diabetes and depression are diseases common on their own, about 30% of diabetics suffer from depressive symptoms. In fact, individuals with diabetes suffer from depression twice as much as non-diabetics. This paper shows that the current research on diabetes and depression is contradictory. Some studies have shown that depression causes diabetes, while others have shown that diabetes leads to depression. The paper examines current research in the field.

From the Paper:

"On the other hand, there is a possibility that depression may increase the risk of diabetes. This could occur through changes in the body like the opening of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the activation of the immune system (Palinkas et al., 2004). Increased activity of norepinephrine, dopamine, and adrenaline in fluid are also seen in individuals depressed (Arroyo, Hu, Ryan, Kawachi, Colditz, & et al., 2004). In fact, those are coupled with impaired glucose tolerance and increased blood glucose (Arroyo et al., 2004). This causes a decreased ability to handle carbohydrate load, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (Arroyo et al., 2004). Additionally, depression can increase the risk of developing diabetes through poor diet and a decrease in physical activity (Palinkas et al., 2004)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Administration on Aging. (2004). Promoting healthy lifestyles: Diabetes. Retrieved November 27, 2006 from http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/healthy_lifestyles/diabetes/diabetes.asp
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.) All about diabetes. Retrieved November 13, 2006 from http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp
Arroyo, C., Hu, F.B., Ryan, L.M., Kawachi, I., Colditz, G.A., Speizer, F.E., & et al. (2004). Depressive symptoms and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care, 27(1), 129-133.
Anderson, R.J., Freedland, K.E., Clouse, R.E., & Lustman, P.J. (2001). The prevalence of comorbid depression in adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 24, 1069-1078.
Brown, L.C., Majumdar, S.R., Newman, S.C., & Johnson, J.A. (2006). Type 2 diabetes does not increase risk of depression. Canadian Medical Asssociation Journal, 175 (1), 42-46.