Depression and the Author

Many diabetics (including the author) are warned by their physicians that they will eventually experience depression. Unfortunately, their solution is to add more drugs on top of the diabetic drugs.

The very first seminar that the author attended after he got out of the hospital was about depression and diabetes. The keynote speaker at the seminar emphasized that every diabetic in the room (including the author) would eventually experience depression and that there was very little that could be done to stop it.

When the author went to see his endocrinologist, he recommended that the author see a psychiatrist to get the proper medication for his impending depression.

The following is a summary of the author’s perspective about depression and diabetes.

I was simply amazed at the number of doctors and experts that believed that I was going to eventually become depressed because of my near-death experience with the diabetic coma and almost losing both my legs. 

My endocrinologist kept asking me: “Are you okay?” Do you feel okay?” Are you sure you’re okay? Would you like to talk to someone about your depression?”

I kept telling the doctor: “I’m fine. I’m okay. Really. I don’t need to see a psychiatrist.” I told him: “In fact, I feel great!”

My doctor was shocked. He said: “Why do you feel great?” You have diabetes. You almost died. You have to take insulin the rest of your life.”

And I said: “Doc, yes, I have diabetes, but I don’t plan to have it forever. Yes, I almost died – the key word here is almost. Yes, I take insulin, but I don’t plan to take it forever. And, I’m so happy and blessed to be alive!”

My doctor said: “DeWayne, you’re in denial. You need to face the reality that you have diabetes, you almost died, and you have to take insulin the rest of your life. And, don’t forget that because of the damage to your eyes and legs, you’re going to go blind, end up on kidney dialysis, and lose one or both of your legs. So, do you still feel happy and blessed?” 

And I said, “Yes, I do feel happy and blessed! My mother says I’m a walking miracle. And, that God told her that He had plans for me – that’s why I didn’t die.”

My doctor said: “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but your mother is being overly-optimistic. She doesn’t understand the severity of your health issues.”

But, no matter what I said, my doctor kept encouraging me to see a psychiatrist!

When I returned to his office a few months later, and I told him that I was no longer taking insulin, he got upset with me. He was not happy that my health had improved. He said that I was in denial and that I would be back on insulin within 3 months. 

Well, it’s been several years now, and the doctor is still waiting for me to go back on insulin. My blood sugar and A1C are in the normal ranges, and I don’t take any drugs.

When I reflect back on that time in my life, I realize that there was a Higher Power guiding me on my journey from near death, illness, and drugs to good health, wellness, and no drugs. 

I also realized why so many people (not just diabetics) believe that they are depressed! Doctors and TV ads keep telling you that you’re not happy! So, you talk to your doctor, who is more than happy to give you his drugs.  If you resist taking the drugs, your doctor will eventually convince you to “just give it a try.”

Why? Well, it’s definitely not to help you! It’s to make money! Lots and lots of money! And, once you start taking a drug, you end up taking a couple more drugs in a few years! And, guess what? You never get off the drugs! You become chemically-dependent on their drugs! You become a drug addict!!  

And, now the doctors and drug companies are targeting young people to take their drugs! Why? Because young people have many more years ahead of them, and this creates 50 to 70 years of new revenue for the drug companies! 

Parents, the drug companies aren’t happy with just you and us old folk – they want your children!

I discovered during my journey that God’s super foods contain healing properties that are better than the drugs! I know this sounds crazy, but there is scientific research and clinical studies that support the fact that plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds can help repair the body and fight disease. 

That information eventually led me to write the wellness book Death to Diabetes – for diabetics and non-diabetics.

And, because of so much support and feedback from people in the U.S. and now from people around the world, I have written more than 30 books, workbooks, CDs, DVDs, and training programs about diabetes, nutrition, meal planning, boot camp, blood glucose testing, spirituality, weight loss, motivation, and other topics.

And, recently, I wrote this ebook about depression. I hope it opens up your eyes and your heart to a better (non-drug) alternative to fighting this condition.

Please Note: Psychiatry is just another con game by Western Medicine that convinces people that they need a drug to re-balance their brain. When I was sick, my endocrinologist guaranteed that I would become depressed. So I did some research and discovered that many diabetics truly do become depressed! But, it's not because they need a drug -- it's because diabetes creates a hormonal imbalance that inhibits the production of the feel-good hormone serotonin! Once you re-balance your hormones with a proper diet, exercise, and emotional or spiritual support, the depression dissipates and eventually goes away!
 

Three Reasons for Depression

Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. Unfortunately, many diabetics experience depression for 3 reasons:

1. The lack of knowledge in being able to effectively control blood glucose levels.
2. Being overwhelmed by stress and everything a diabetic has to do to manage their diabetes every day – leading to the lack of hope in fighting a disease that leads to amputation, blindness, and kidney dialysis. This can also create fear and anxiety, leading to poor sleep habits, and poor decision-making.
3. The biochemical/hormonal imbalances created by the excess production of cortisol, and the reduced production of serotonin. In addition, because of the excess insulin production, there is a depletion of key vitamins and minerals, i.e. magnesium, potassium, chromium, Vitamin C, CoQ10.

The good news is that most cases of depression can be defeated without the need for drugs by doing 3 things:

1. Acquire the knowledge to effectively control your blood glucose levels.
2. Utilize your inner spirit and a support system to have hope and not feel overwhelmed; and, achieve a higher quality of sleep and relaxation; and, make better decisions.
3. Make dietary and lifestyle changes to improve the biochemical/hormonal levels, increasing the production of serotonin while preventing the excess production of cortisol; and, also, reducing the excess production of insulin.

For more information about depression, read our web page about depression. Also, read the author's brother's story and successful bout with depression.