It is undeniable that diabetes can cause sudden mood swings. Likewise, knowing that you suffer diabetes can cause anxiety, sadness, despair, especially anger. The worst part is that this is an aspect of this condition that receives little attention.
These mood swings have a great impact on health as they destabilize blood glucose levels. It generates a vicious cycle, the diabetic is disturbed by their sugar levels and, seeing no progress, these mood swings continue to occur.
It is important first to clarify the reactions that occur within the body caused by anger. This spectrum can range from mild frustration and irritability to out-of-control rage, affecting the emotional, physical and cerebral state.
The part of the brain that responds first to anger is the amygdala. It controls the emotions and the instinctive response to fear, preparing the person for a situation of stress, fight or flight.
To cope with the problem, it is capable of processing a magnitude of information and qualifies all the possible dangers around it in a fraction of a second, allowing it to react first and think later. This is why it is common to perform impulsive acts during outbursts of anger.
Above the amygdala, in the frontal lobe, lies the ability to make decisions, solve problems, and control behavior. During an angry outburst, blood floods the frontal cortex, clouding rational thinking.
Depending on the person, this reaction can be harmful to a greater or lesser extent. A domino effect occurs that continues with the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys, causing a secretion of cortisol and adrenaline, giving an explosion of energy and strength.
This redirects the blood flow from the stomach and intestines to the muscles, preparing the body for a confrontational situation. In a fraction of a second, blood pressure, pain threshold, and body temperature rise, breathing becomes agitated, heart rate quickens, and pupils dilate.
All of this happens every time an outburst occurs. Not only does it affect interpersonal relationships, it is also directly related to cardiovascular health and well-being of the mind.
According to the Heart MD Institute, higher doses of fatty acids and sugar are released into the blood to provide immediate energy so that the body can overcome the situation that it interprets as dangerous.
The problem with the continuous release of fatty acids is that, over time, they begin to accumulate in the arteries in the form of fat and cholesterol, laying the groundwork for a heart problem. If the body is constantly in this state, the chances of suffering a heart attack are increased.
The constant release of sugar into the blood causes damage to the pancreas as the body is not able to absorb excess sugar. In healthy people, in the long run it will contribute to developing diabetes, while in diabetic people it will not allow to control sugar levels, even if measures are taken in this regard.
An irritable, angry, anxious, and short-tempered person will never be able to overcome diabetes, no matter how many medications, products, or natural remedies they use or how many diets and exercises they do.
Similarly, irritability can have direct consequences on the brain. Studies from the University of California concluded that such a supply of anger triggers can confuse the hippocampus, the brain’s stress organ, resulting in a disability to suppress the anger response altogether.
Controlling anger shouldn’t be complicated. Living with peace and mental balance is a necessary and essential aspect to live healthy and control diabetes. It is necessary to pay special attention to mental health, this is not independent of bodily health. Anger is prevented by avoiding it, identifying it, and working on it.
Avoid anger
It is the first step to achieving mental health. The reason for this is that the mental aspect is where most of the people have problems since it is usually the characteristic of health in which the least attention is paid. The mind must be nurtured, evaluated and analyzed.
Although, it is impossible to give up anger since it is a natural and instinctive response of the body, it can be controlled. Emotions are controllable as long as there is willpower. To control anger this should be avoided. There are a variety of strategies to achieve this, from avoiding stressful situations, anticipating reactions in advance, thinking before acting, to breathing and reflect on these types of reactions.
Identify the underlying cause of anger.
Many times, irritability is just a symptom of an underlying problem. To eliminate it, it is first necessary to identify that problem.
From mood disorders, depression or bipolarity, frustration, sometimes motivated by cognitive or communication problems, behavior problems, brain injuries or childhood or youth trauma, even physical and emotional abuse.
When the problem is identified, it is attacked at the root, which combats the consequences of this, in this case irritability. A correct psychological accompaniment will be key in these situations.
Work on emotions
What usually triggers outbursts of anger is impatience. Serenity is necessary to know how to react to stressful situations that cause irritability.
Knowing your emotions and knowing how to work with them is essential to avoid anger. There are simple strategies that anyone can apply, such as active listening, self-acceptance, emotion writing, or mindful breathing.
Accepting the problem is the first step. Working on emotions requires willpower, but it also helps. Loved ones can be excellent support.
For diabetics it is important to understand and apply the work of the emotions, as already mentioned, irritability, anger and anxiety have direct effects on body health, reflected in cardiovascular problems and uncontrolled sugar levels.
Lack of mind control is a big problem that does not receive the attention it needs, it is worth working on it, the health of the body will never improve without a healthy mind. It is said that the best victory of the human being is to defeat oneself.
