Are you experiencing uncanny behavioral changes that are not a part of your usual personality? Do you tend to feel a sense of agitation, irritability, forgetfulness, disorientation and confusion for no apparent reason? As the experts call it, irrational behaviour is often a result of fluctuating blood sugar levels and may be a concerning part of diabetes.
How does diabetes trigger an irrational behavior?
Glucose plays a key role in operating our brain. Excess or depleting blood sugar levels affect the ideal glucose balance responsible for effective cognitive functioning. Without proper blood sugar management, our behavior and emotional state can become wary.
Note that diabetes does affect not only our physical capacities but also our mental and emotional health. An irrational behavior occurs when the body’s blood sugar levels are too high or too low. As a result, people lose control of themselves. When this happens, the affected person may become impulsive, disregard the long-term consequences of their conduct, fall prey to the sinful temptation, and make poor choices.
What is irrational behavior?
Irrational behaviour results from emotional distress where a person’s reaction is not triggered by logic and clear thinking. For example, the person often takes offense or becomes angry about a situation that has not yet happened, expresses exaggerated emotion, and engages in irresponsible activities. These conditions are also associated with mental confusion.
In terms of cognitive health, diabetes can also cause mental confusion. These conditions limit a person’s daily life activities and quality of life. The following are the most common signs of mental confusion:
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble concentrating
- Confusion
- Difficulty with speech
- Being disoriented
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Trouble doing regular tasks
As mentioned earlier, when blood sugar levels are off their normal state, the brain can’t operate properly. A spike or drop in blood glucose can contribute to the development of mental and behavioral complications. That explains the importance of proper diabetes management. The following are the primary factors that add up to the development of diabetes-related irrational behavior and mental confusion:
- Overdose in diabetes medications, particularly insulin shots
- Fasting
- No exercise
- Alcohol addiction
- Difficulty sleeping
Take into account that if these conditions are persistent and recurring, then you may need to take additional cognitive therapies and counselling. Additionally, there could be other triggering factors apart from diabetes that can lead to these conditions.
Takeaway
Like other complications related to diabetes, identifying the underlying problem will help you stay healthy. Additionally, it is essential to know that regular blood sugar monitoring, proper nutrition, and daily exercise are the best ways to avoid stress, irrational behaviour and emotional distress.
Learning about the signs of irrational behavior and mental confusion can help you prevent them in their very initial stages. If you notice a single symptom developing, take immediate measures in the form of:
- Monitoring your blood sugar level
- Reporting the situation to a doctor
Doctor’s Recommendation
If you have diabetes and are dealing with stress, depression, or mood changes, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Symptoms to watch for include mood swings, trouble controlling your blood sugar, lack of interest in activities, difficulty sticking to your treatment plan, feeling very sad, or having thoughts of suicide (seek emergency help immediately if this happens). While diabetes can lead to mood swings and stress, following your treatment plan and keeping your blood sugar stable can help reduce these issues. Don’t hesitate to seek help from your doctor, talk to family and friends, or consult a mental health professional.
