
December 5, 2000
Behavior
Question from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada:
Is it true that diabetes of any type can cause signs of depression especially in young children?
Answer:
Young children are generally diagnosed with type�1 diabetes, although the incidence of type�2 diabetes in young persons is on the rise. My own experience is that depression is not a universal artifact of being diagnosed with diabetes. However, it can occur. The signs of genuine clinical depression include loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, thoughts of suicide, inability to concentrate, excessive sleeping, change in appetite, isolation from friends and family, inability to sleep, etc. In some cases, people experience a more “anxious depression” which manifests in additional anxiety that does not subside.
CMB