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The Question
12/22/09 10:27 PM

"Can insulin use cause depression?"
Asked By: ofwaihhbtn  
Category: Insulin

Background Info Hide
I have been using insulin since Feb of 2003 and recently stopped using it. The depression I have been experiencing for the longest time seems to be decreasing.

Expert Answers (1)

12/23/09 07:16 PM

Thank-you for contacting dLife. My first question would be is did you stop using insulin at the advice of your physician? Were your life style behaviors controlling your glucose levels and in turn you are using oral medications? If you have just stopped on your own, please discuss this with your health care provider.

There is literature that states that up to 50% of diabetics do suffer from depression. Of course there may be many causes:

  • coping with a chronic disease
  • having fluctuating out of control glucose levels
  • feeling different, or fearful

    This is why healthy coping and support is such an significant part of lifestyle behaviors for good self management. I have not seen literature about depression being the direct cause of depression. Perhaps the behaviors around insulin such as being on a schedule, daily non-flexible routines, the cost, possible side effects of hypoglycemia may be contributing factors. But the actual hormone itself since it is naturally in our body does not cause depression.

    Again, if you stopped insulin on your own discuss this with your health care provider. Otherwise if you just have improved glucose control this may explain your improved feelings. Overall, your feeling of depression should be addressed and discussed with a counselor or MD to validate your feeling and move towards improved overall health.

    Stay well and self managed.

    • Answered By: Janet HowardDucsay
    Accreditations: RN BSN CDE
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    Community Answers (21)

    02/19/10 10:12 AM

    I've been type 1 since I was 4 years old. I am now 55 and in great shape. I have been depressed only twice in my life. Once when my 6 year old daughter was attacked by a dog and once when I got laid off from my job and couldn't find anything for 6 months. Other than that zero. I've been on MDIs until 4 years ago until I went on the pump. And even my wife of 34 years agrees that I just don't get depressed. So I think it is more attitude and less insulin. IMHO
    Answered By: rondoyle
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    01/05/10 01:05 PM

    not the insulin but I found out that Metaformin blocks vitamin B12 which helps with brain function and I actually linked this to depression somehow... I took Pharmacology this past semester and disccovered this! Also, equal sweetener I read depleats the myelin sheath, which is necessary for neurons to have faster pulses from the brain. (think of a cable chord with insulation sending road runner electronic waves of internet information around the world) something like that.... i'll get the real story, but here's something to start on reading up.
    Answered By: lesliesching
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    01/04/10 10:41 AM

    i dont think so.. BUT the shots might.. like taeing 6 shots a day makes me feel while.. not the best at times.. but i dont think the insulin will.. but then again im not a doc! just think no.. better then thinking yes!
    Answered By: scotty101fun
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    01/04/10 09:14 AM

    I have been on insulin for over 46 years and have not had an issue on U-40 Nph and Reg or U-100 Nph and Regular and U-100 Humalog. I did however try Apidra for about 2 or 3 weeks and had really scary results. I became agressive, morose....couldn't have cared whether I lived or died. I felt depressed for the first time in my life as a Diabetic. My wife ultimately made me change back to Humalog as she was worried about my change in demeanor and the fact that I kept crashing and burning even after reducing my insulin by 20 to 25 %. I am back to Humalog and life is good again. For me.....it was a very strange experience and not one I wish on anyone.
    Answered By: joy of diabetes
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    01/03/10 11:32 PM

    My experience is that if stress was the MAJOR factor that contributed to you going Type II, then what follows diagnosis is depression. I've been struggling with figuring out why I'm depressed for a couple of years now and I keep coming back to the same things that contributed to my diabetes in the first place...crazy schedule, extreme job stress, no time for exercise...add in having to examine everything I eat,,,and BAM...depression. Ain't life grand? I'm working on my lemonade recipe for all these lemons!
    Answered By: type2in2006
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    01/01/10 01:51 PM

    I have to agree that it is the chronic disease and not the treatment that DIRECTLY causes depression. However, the hypo and hyper glycemia that is the side effect (or in some cases the poor control of diabetes) can also cause depression.
    Answered By: Donna
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    01/01/10 01:48 AM

    being chronically ill can cause depression. having diabetes can increase your chances of having depression. having to think about every food choice can be depressing. so, probably isn't as simple as just being on insulin. also, check other meds for depression as a side effect and discuss these with your health care provider to see what can be changed. being diabetic takes away some measure of control in all of our lives. that can be depressing; it is to me. don't neglect your diabetes, though, or depressing changes are more likely to affect you. so sorry that you have these feelings...you are not alone. go well, mary
    Answered By: crazedredhead
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