STRESS AS A CAUSE OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Change is an unavoidable part of life. Change of job, change of home,

change of family composition, or changes brought about through the normal aging
process are all common experiences. Depending on individuals perception and the
circumstances involved, change may be positive or negative, but it always requires
some adjustment or adaptation and thus produces a certain degree of stress.
Chronic illness and disability produce significant change and consequently stress
because individuals must deal with a change of customary lifestyle, loss of control,
disruption of physiological processes, pain or discomfort, and potential loss of role,
status, independence, and financial stability. When individuals have confidence in
their ability to maintain control over their destiny and when they believe that
changes, although inevitable, are manageable, stress is less pronounced.

When their perceptions of the changes associated with chronic illness or disability
seem insurmountable or beyond their ability to cope, stress can be overwhelming.
The degree of stress associated with chronic illness or disability often is related to
the degree of threat it represents to individuals. Potential threats of chronic illness
or disability include:
threats to life and physical well-being
threats to body integrity and comfort as a result of the illness or disability itself, the
diagnostic procedures, or treatment
threats to independence, privacy, autonomy, and control
threats to self-concept and fulfillment of customary roles
threats to life goals and future plans
threats to relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
threats to the ability to remain in familiar surroundings
threats to economic well-being.
The response to the stresses imposed by the threat of chronic illness or disability
depends on perceptions of the impact the condition has on various areas of life, as
well as on individuals capacity to cope. Stress cannot be easily quantified, but it
can be interpreted from the behaviors exhibited by those experiencing chronic
illness or disability. When demands exceed psychological, social, or financial
resources, stress may be manifested in a variety of ways, such as noncompliance
with recommended treatment, self destructive
behavior, such as substance abuse, hostility, depression, or other harmful
responses.

Individuals in the same situation do not necessarily experience the same degree of
stress and the amount of change or adjustment required is not necessarily an
indicator of the amount of stress perceived. Those who are able to adapt and cope
effectively and mobilize resources are more successful in managing stress and
achieving more stable outcomes. Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes are
overwhelmed with an onslaught of new in formation, medications, doctor visits
and a feeling of helplessness. Diabetes can be frightening, particularly for anyone
who is not familiar with the disease. We read about complications and insulin and
medication and feel hopeless.
Many diabetics experience a period of denial when first diagnosed with diabetes.
They refuse to believe there is anything wrong with them. While they remain in
denial, the condition worsens. This can often lead to depression. Depression and
diabetes often go hand in hand. According to the American Diabetes Association,
people with diabetes have a greater risk for developing depression than other
individuals.
The stress of management of diabetes can take a toll on an individual. There
are new medications to take, blood sugar must be monitored frequently and a
record kept for your doctor. There are frequent doctor visits and there may be
several different medication combinations needed before your blood sugar is kept
under control.
On top of that, people who have diabetes are often faced with sudden
lifestyle changes. Foods that they once enjoyed are now taboo. An exercise regime
is often recommended, which can be good for depression, but people with
depression often have little energy to begin an exercise regime. As the depression
continues, people often lose interest in monitoring their blood sugar levels and may
even skip their medication.
Symptoms of depression include a loss of pleasure in everyday activities you
used to enjoy as well as a change in appetite. You may have trouble concentrating
and have trouble sleeping. Or you may even sleep too much. Many people suffer
from depression, but for a diabetic, it can be life threatening. Depression and
diabetes is a dangerous combination.
People who are diagnosed with diabetes can empower themselves by
learning as much about the disease as possible from the beginning. This can
alleviate the feeling of helplessness that often accompanies the diagnoses. Ask
your physician questions. Do research. Find out how you can help manage you

disease. If you feel you are suffering from some of the signs of depression, ask
your doctor to recommend a therapist who is familiar in dealing with people with
chronic illness. Therapy can
be crucial for a diabetic patient who feels isolated because of all of the extra work
involved in treating their illness. Do not be afraid to discuss your illness with
family and friends.
Diabetes is a nothing to be ashamed of, it is a disease that affects millions of
people. If at all possible, join a support group for others who also have diabetes.
Here you can not only find kindred spirits who are experiencing some of the same
fears as yourself, but you can also learn new information. Any time someone is
diagnosed with an illness puts them at risk for depression. Their world has changed
and no longer feels safe. Worse of all, they feel out of control. If you are diagnosed
with diabetes, take back the control and learn how to manage your disease. By
empowering yourself, you will not only be able to effectively manage your
diabetes, you will eliminate the depression.

SCOPE OF HOMOEOPATHY
Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed after taking into consideration
1. The personality
2. Level of stress
3. Habits
4. Family
5. Medication history
6. Any contributing lifestyle factor can safely restore your health as well as make you
less susceptible to relapses
The Seven Factors and Homeopathic Remedies

The following seven factors are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of Diabetes

mellitus, according to The American Diabetes Association: A new etiologic
classification system for diabetes mellitus is listed below with corresponding
prominent homeopathic remedies.
1. Genetic defects of -cell function or in insulin
action:Desoxyribonucleicumacidum (DNA), Nosodes: Carcinocinun,
Medorrhinum, Tuberculinum, Syphilinum
2. DM resulting from diseases of exocrine pancreas: Ars alb, Bar mur, Calc ars,
Carb an, Carb veg, Conium, Hydrastis, Iodum, Iris ver, Kali bich, Kali iod, Merc
sol, Nat sulph, Nuxvom, Pancreatinum, Parathyreoidinum, Phosphorus, Uranium
nitricum
3. DM resulting from endocrinopathies: Bar-carb, Carcinocinum, Pituitaria
posterior, Corticotropinum (ACTH), Cortisonum (Cortisone and Corticoids),
Adrensalinum, Iodides, Ferrums, Nat-mur, Sepia, Thyroidinum, Phosphorus
4. Drug/Chemical induced: Agaricus, Agnus cast, Arsenic album, Bryonia,
Camphor, Carbn-sulph., Carb-veg, China off, Coffea, Corticotropinum,
Cortisonum, Hydrastis can, Kali-iod, Lachesis, Laurocerasus, Mag-sulph, Natmur, Nit acid, Nuxvomica, Opium, Phos-acid, Pulsatilla, Secalecor, Sulphur, Thuja,
Thyroidinum
5. Infections: Carcinocinum, Medorrhinum, Tuberculinum, Syphilinum, Silicea,
Parotidinum, Penicillinum, Streptococcinum, Staphylococcinum
6. Gestational DM (GDM):Lacticumacidum, Helonias, Sulphur
7. Immune-mediated diabetes: The role of constitutional therapeutics and the
remedies as listed under no.1.
The IMP Factor: The Role of Emotions
1. The role of emotional factors in the etiology of diabetes has been a source of
debate. However, personality traits of diabetic patients have been studied and many
researchers have noted similarities of configuration. The influence of emotional
stress upon sugar metabolism has also been examined. Many investigators have
observed definite connections and inferences go in favor of homeopathys holistic

approach towards a patient of diabetes. To cite the recent research findings: lower
than average blood glucose values at baseline were associated with higher scores
for the personality domain of neuroticism and several specific traits including
anxiety, angry hostility, depression, self-consciousness, and vulnerability but were
associated with lower scores for the trait of altruism
2. It has often been assumed that patients, who repeatedly go into acidosis despite
careful efforts at regulation, suffer from metabolic eccentricities that make them
react severely to slight changes in diet, insulin intake, exercise, or emotions.
Susceptibility to infection may be held responsible. The importance of emotional
disturbances has been appreciated, and the acidosis has, at times, been attributed
directly to the effects of emotional factors upon the metabolic processes. Let me
point out some cases of acidosis from my practice. A colleague of conventional
therapy once referred a case. The case was interesting in the sense that the referred
woman was admitted five times in his hospital for diabetic acidosis within a span
of two months. Every time the relatives narrated the history that the patient and her
husband were not on good terms and whenever big quarrels occurred, the patient
went into metabolic acidosis. Natrum muriaticum, given on the basis of totality of
symptoms not only stopped the recurrent episodes of acidosis but her susceptibility
to infections was reduced. The blood sugar level also maintained at normal levels.
Another case was of juvenile diabetes of a young chap of 21 years. He was
diagnosed to have JDM at 14 years and was maintaining well on Inj. Insulin. A
touchy, introverted, shy young man, for whom the home was as if hell; no love
from parents, constant quarrels, father alcoholic, mother materialistic. He was
harbouring resentment and feelings of abandonment and had to sustain the blow of
divorce. His mother found a new man within a year and our patient was left alone.
He got acquainted with a new girl friend and life became smooth with her. Alas, on
one fine day she left him. This was the big assault. Since then infection, increase in
blood sugar, acidosis and then hospitalization became a vicious
cycle. Carcinocinum made him altogether a different man along with
psychotherapeutic sessions. He was determined to find himself, to find his
potential and to use the go in his life. The reasons for selection of Carc. Were
family history of cancer, increased susceptibility to infection, the chronic state
taking on an acute, severe episode, and an intense abandoned feeling? Synthesis
Repertory mentions Carc. Under the rubric, Acidosis.

The Personality characters in Diabetes

Before we contemplate the personality characters, we must acknowledge the
symbolic language of the pancreas. The pancreas is linked to the solar plexus that
deals with emotions, wishes and intellectual activities. The pancreas represents the
sweetness of life. According to human symbolic language of the pancreassweetness, love, the basic complex emotion, has a prominent role to play in
diabetes. Diabetics are found to be more emotional and harbor many wishes for
themselves and others. They tend to reproach themselves with discontentment of
others. They spend much energy fulfilling the inner need of their emotions and
there is associated inner sadness from an unrequited love. Juvenile diabetes may
occur in those children who feel insufficiently acknowledged. In short, the
problems of the pancreas stem from individuals not believing they deserve love.
There is a huge inability to feel part of the whole and give and receive in a
balanced way.
Some deeper insights are needed to understand the concept of love in diabetes.
Dont discard them as metaphysical. We have enough threadbare through islets of
Langerhans, insulin deficiency and others. Notice that diabetics are alarmingly
increasing in the world. The concept of love is central to understanding and
managing diabetes. If we, as homeopaths, view ourselves as holistic prescribers,
we cant brush aside the role of emotions and resolve the conundrum of diabetics.
Sugar, Love and Diabetes
Sugar is a material synonym for love and hence, it can be equated to love, and love
is a sweet feeling for human beings. Not being able to metabolize sugar is an effect
from not being able to get love. Just as diabetics cannot integrate sugar in the food,
it is difficult for them to integrate or accept love. Diabetes is particularly related to
feeling either a lack or an over abundance of sweetness in our lives. Glycosuria
amounts to running out (failure) of love. Diabetics cant assimilate sugar; it passes
straight through, to be excreted back out again. Behind the desire of diabetics to
enjoy sweet things and their inability to assimilate and absorb them, stands an
unsatisfied desire for love, along with an inability to accept love and absorb it
unreservedly. In an adult, diabetes is often associated with obesity and this shows

the link between overeating to make up for the lack of love or nourishment and an
inability to receive love. While presenting the parallels between insulin in language
(Latin word insula = island i.e. Islets of Langerhans) and characters of diabetics,
Dr. Michael Lincoln, in Messages from the Body suggests that individuals with
diabetes are islands unto themselves- i.e. from birth they learn to fend for
themselves. Basically, they feel they have to rear themselves. Therefore, when
theyre not able to find nurturance, relevance or validation from outside
themselves, they become self-made. This process is likely to be traumatic, which
reinforces a belief that theres no sweetness in life. Dr. Lincoln further adds that
due to guilt feeling and lack of value, life loses its sweetness. This lack of
sweetness and a deep longing for what might have been may cause malfunction
of the pancreas, because the pancreas requires the emotion of joy to function
properly.
Diabetes leads to over-acidification of the whole body. Acid is a symbol of
aggression. Diabetes depicts this aggression in the form of inflammations (-itis, the
war) and destructive pathologies. The sugar level in our blood relates to the
amount of sweetness and love in our lives and to the opposite, anger and
sourness. There is always polarity between love and aggression, between sugar and
acid. The body warns those without love become sour. Metabolic acidosis
consequent to emotional excitement is a good example.