A study published in the December edition of Diabetes Care magazine (an ADA publication) examined the links between diabetes, depression and mortality in older adults.

Not surprisingly, untreated depression led to a much higher death rate in 5 years than if there was depression intervention. Intervention was either an anti-depressant or psychotherapy.

It is difficult to take care of all the aspects of this disease on a good day, when you're depressed it's nearly impossible. How hard is it to go out for your daily walk when you just want to keep your head under the covers?

And it's not just exercise that is more difficult. A lot of us self-medicate our feelings with food and it is rarely a fruit or veggie that will make us feel better. It's harder to test your blood or take your meds on a regular schedule. All self-care is more difficult when you're depressed - but diabetes extracts a much higher cost for skipping your self-care.

Studies have shown that there is a link between depression and diabetes. Your risk of diabetes is increased if you're depressed and your risk of depression is increased once you're diagnosed with depression. It's a double whammy.

You can check your symptoms for depression online at several places like this one or this one. Or mention it to your doctor at your next visit.

If you're shy about bringing it up to your doctor, you can always list all your symptoms in one visit, and let her broach the topic.

Don't let a stigma about "mental illness" stop you from feeling better. Most people will experience a bout of some level of depresion in their lifetime. If it's enough to affect your daily activities, then it's worth addressing.

Life's too short to be sad and blue. Do whatever it takes to get the most out of it.