Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience a significantly higher risk of developing depression, with prevalence rates nearly twice that of the general population. While poor lifestyle adherence is often blamed, emerging evidence reveals that depression in T2D is not merely behavioral but rooted in shared neuro-inflammatory and hormonal mechanisms that affect both mood and metabolism. Chronic inflammation, altered cytokine signaling, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation contribute to both insulin resistance and depressive symptoms.
Despite advancements in diabetes care, the misconception persists that depression stems solely from poor self-management. This mythbuster aims to clarify that depression in T2D is a biologically intertwined comorbidity, heightening the risk of complications and requiring integrated care where psychiatrists play a vital role in…
