Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBlood Sugar and EmotionsCoping MechanismsManaging Mood SwingsFind Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Blood Sugar and Emotions
Coping Mechanisms
Managing Mood Swings
Find Help
Low blood sugar can affect a person whether they have diabetes or not. For patients with diabetes, though, mood swings coupled with the anger of having a chronic disease can be tough to manage. It may be frustrating to deal with diabetes day after day for a lifetime.
Your partner’s diabetes may cause you to overlook or make excuses forangry reactions, which is OK to an extent. However, anger that escalates into physical, verbal, or emotional abuse should never be tolerated. Fortunately, it is treatable. With self-care and preparation, most severe mood swings are avoidable.
This article discusses how diabetes can cause anger, how to manage mood swings, and what to do if anger turns abusive.
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The fluctuating blood glucose levels that characterize poorly controlled diabetes can contribute to mood swings and lead to unpredictable or even aggressive behavior.
What’s sometimes called “diabetic rage” can be dangerous, because it may involve behaviors you’re not consciously aware of. When your blood sugar fluctuates, spikes, or drops, it can produce feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression. You may feel like your emotions are out of your control.
Self-control of aggressive behaviors requires energy, much of which comes from glucose. Researchers agree that low blood sugar in one or both romantic partners increases the risk of aggressive and violent behaviors within the relationship.
Such behaviors include:
More seriously, extremes of bothhypoglycemiaor hyperglycemia can lead to cognitive impairment, confusion, loss of self-control, or hallucinations.These conditions should be considered a medical emergency.
When Anger Becomes Abuse
Every person has a right to get angry sometimes. But it isn’t normal for someone with diabetes to erupt into anger and take it out on others.
If anger is expressed violently to hurt or scare you, then it becomes domestic abuse. Abuse can be actual physical contact, like hitting, slapping, pushing, or otherwise inflicting bodily harm. It can also be threatening or belittling you or making you feel intimidated or scared.
Can Diabetes Cause Psychosis?People with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.Both low blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis are well known to cause confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and other symptoms ofdelirium.
Can Diabetes Cause Psychosis?
People with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.Both low blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis are well known to cause confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and other symptoms ofdelirium.
How to Cope With Diabetes and Anger
If you or a loved one have diabetes and experience mood swings from low blood sugar, there are ways to manage it.
When Your Partner Experiences Mood Swings
It’s not your responsibility to make sure your partner consistently eats well. However, knowing the crucial role diet plays in managing mood for people with diabetes may help you understand their condition better. Don’t underestimate the importance of their diet and regular mealtimes.
If your partner struggles with managing moods as a result of fluctuating blood sugar, talk to them about it. Have a plan in place for emergencies, such as calling 911 at the first sign of a mood swing or outburst. Your partner should be willing to create an emergency plan to keep you and others safe.
If you’re in a relationship that’s abusive, it’s important to tell someone you trust: a friend, counselor, social worker, or healthcare provider. Abusive relationships are often isolated ones, where the abused partner lives in secrecy and fear. Telling others breaks the silence and enables you to more easily seek help.
Resources for Domestic Violence
If you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship, seek help. Here are organizations that can provide referrals and assistance:
Summary
Fluctuating blood sugar from diabetes can lead to strong emotions, including anger. If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar can help with managing mood swings.
If your partner has diabetes and struggles with anger, make sure you have an emergency plan. This could include calling 911 at the first sign of an emotional outburst.
Seek immediate help if your partner is verbally or emotionally abusive. Reach out to a friend, social worker, or healthcare provider, or contact a domestic violence abuse hotline.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause symptoms such as increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, frequent urination, headache, and fatigue. If untreated, hyperglycemia can lead toketoacidosis. This can cause:VomitingDehydrationUnusual fruity smell on your breathHyperventilationRapid heartbeatConfusion and disorientationComaLearn MoreHow Hyperglycemia Is TreatedHypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause sweating, shakiness, fast heartbeat, and lightheadedness. You may also feel anxious or irritable. As your blood sugar continues to drop, it can lead to drowsiness, trouble concentrating, slurred speech, and blurred vision. When it becomes very severe, it can lead to seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, death.Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is Treated
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause symptoms such as increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, frequent urination, headache, and fatigue. If untreated, hyperglycemia can lead toketoacidosis. This can cause:VomitingDehydrationUnusual fruity smell on your breathHyperventilationRapid heartbeatConfusion and disorientationComaLearn MoreHow Hyperglycemia Is Treated
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause symptoms such as increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, frequent urination, headache, and fatigue. If untreated, hyperglycemia can lead toketoacidosis. This can cause:VomitingDehydrationUnusual fruity smell on your breathHyperventilationRapid heartbeatConfusion and disorientationComa
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause symptoms such as increased thirst or hunger, blurry vision, frequent urination, headache, and fatigue. If untreated, hyperglycemia can lead toketoacidosis. This can cause:
Learn MoreHow Hyperglycemia Is Treated
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause sweating, shakiness, fast heartbeat, and lightheadedness. You may also feel anxious or irritable. As your blood sugar continues to drop, it can lead to drowsiness, trouble concentrating, slurred speech, and blurred vision. When it becomes very severe, it can lead to seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, death.Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is Treated
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause sweating, shakiness, fast heartbeat, and lightheadedness. You may also feel anxious or irritable. As your blood sugar continues to drop, it can lead to drowsiness, trouble concentrating, slurred speech, and blurred vision. When it becomes very severe, it can lead to seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, death.
Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is Treated
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mujis L, Racca C, de Wit M, et al.Glucose variability and mood in adults with diabetes: A systematic review.Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2020 Jul;4(1):e00152. doi:10.1002/edm2.152
Bushman B, DeWall N, Pond R, Hanus M.Low glucose relates to greater aggression in married couples.PNAS. 2014 Apr;111(17):6254-6257. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400619111
Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).Domestic violence.
Ebadi SA, Darvish P, Fard AJ, Lima BS, Ahangar OG.Hypoglycemia and cognitive function in diabetic patients.Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2018;12(6):893-896. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2018.05.011
Akhaury K, Chaware S.Relation between diabetes and psychiatric disorders.Cureus. 2022 Oct;14(10):e30733. doi:10.7759/cureus.30733
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetic ketoacidosis.
American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
ADW Diabetes.Why anger and stewing can mess with diabetes.Fachetti L.Are people with diabetes more prone to aggression?The Diabetes Council.
ADW Diabetes.Why anger and stewing can mess with diabetes.
Fachetti L.Are people with diabetes more prone to aggression?The Diabetes Council.
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