Type 2 Diabetes and Perimenopause Part 2
In continuing this month’s blog series on perimenopause and type 2 diabetes. I wanted to focus more on mental health symptoms. Perimenopause can cause symptoms of anxiety, depression, brain fog and memory problems. And we can also experience irritability and anger. Research has shown that 1 in 5 American’s will experience a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime and that people with type 2 diabetes are 20% more likely to have anxiety than those without. Some common symptoms of anxiety include sweating, shaking, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating or making decisions, feeling irritable, tense or restless, experiencing nausea, and having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom. These symptoms can to a type 2 diabetic who is insulin dependent feel like a hypoglycemic episode. How you can tell the difference is test your blood sugar. If you are below 70, you’re most likely experiencing a hypo-episode.
Symptoms of depression include increased anger, irritability, feeling restless, or on edge, wanting to isolate or feeling detached, greater impulsivity, and feeling down. Exercising, self-care, diabetes management and/or medications are great ways to reduce depression. Also seeing a mental health provider who also has knowledge of type 2 diabetes can be beneficial.
In addition, brain fog can look like difficulty concentrating or focusing, confusion, fatigue, forgetfulness, losing your train of thought, not having the right words and slow thought process and reaction time. These symptoms should be taken seriously and if you are experiencing more than one of these on a daily basis, making an appointment with your health care provider is recommended. The difference between brain fog and memory problems is you could be experiencing a physical complication from a concussion, head injury, blood clots, brain infection, thyroid, kidney or live problems, medication side effects, and sleep problems. We also see mental health symptoms of depression and/or anxiety with memory problems. If you are also misusing alcohol or drugs, you may be experiencing memory problems. These symptoms should be taken seriously and if you are experiencing more than one of these on a daily basis, making an appointment with your health care provider is recommended.
Lastly, the complications of perimenopause, type 2 diabetes and mental health symptoms are things we should see our health care providers about. It may be a good time to schedule blood work and a physical or your annual diabetes exam(s). Most importantly, you are not alone and if you need help, please reach out to those you trust. Type 2 diabetes can be isolating enough but when you add on perimenopause and mental health struggles, it can feel very overwhelming. If you are experiencing any mental health symptoms, there is help available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 the national suicide and crisis lifeline.
