Are anger outbursts normal with diabetes?

[Magrathea]

DH was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 1 year ago. He is normally lovely but occasionally will have the most awful outbursts of temper which just come out of the blue and he will swear at me, call me all the names under the sun, tell me our marriage is over etc. It will be the smallest thing which triggers it off - totally insignificant, he will be like it for an hour or so and really moody and silent after the outburst or doing the kind of school bully thing where whatever I say is the wrong answer. Then all of a sudden like flicki ng a switch he is back to normal and lovely again. This doesnt happen very often, about once every three or four months but it does un-nerve me when it does. He says it is when his blood sugar is off and he doesnt mean any of it.

I have no previous experience of diabetes so wonder if this sort of thing can happen or whether he is just being an arse and using it as an excuse?

That is certainly my experience of a type one diabetic when her blood sugar was low. Obviously, I can't say whether this is the problem with your dh, but if the behaviour is new and correlated with hypos, it would be my guess.

I sympathise - it's horrible to deal with.

It was certainly the case with my FIL, - I didn't know him before he had diabetes, but apparently he was pretty laid back, when I knew him he had a tendency to overreact to things, and could be quite grumpy.

My friend's dd is like this too.

Odd, DP is type 2 and I've never noticed any mood swings (that would be errrr me in our relationship ) but then he's controlling his OK with diet and meds.

My Dad was type 1 insulin dependent and yes when his sugar was low he would have a terrible temper. It's how my Mum knew he needed food.

I have a (young child) family member with type 1 and he has the most awful rages/tantrums- like flicking a switch. The most insignificant thing sets him off. His diabetes nurse confirms it is a common problem but he will learn to control himself better as he gets older. I sure hope so!

My dh is insulin dependent diabetic and one of the first things the nurse said to me was that if dh starts getting unusually stroppy and angry I am to get him to check his blood sugars!!!!!!

Agree with all those posters who say that temper is connected with sugar lows. It definitely is with DP (Type 1 diabetic) but luckily DP has excellent control and it's only when he's ill that he gets sugar lows.

Thanks everyone, in some ways its a relief to know it is the diabetes - even if he is only type 2. I think I'll get him to look at Diabetes Support Forum UK about controlling it. I think depression might also be creeping in, it has before.

Its vile when it happens and suggesting eating or checking his sugar when he is in a rage meets with a load more abuse and he tells me it is because he hates me not to do with his sugar - but now I definitely know different thanks to all your feedback. I think I'll buy a testing kit and a tin hat:) and go from there.

Thanks everyone

I also have Type 1 but only get bad temper when my blood sugar is too high!

My father is Type 2 and takes tablets, his mood is worse when he's eaten too much sugary stuff as well.

I agree with Footie - that the anger may be a reaction to how he feels about being "chronically ill" especially if it has affected any areas of his life.

I'm not sure why you're thinking of buying a testing kit. Does your DH have appointments with a Diabetes Nurse at the GP's - it's quite likely that he will be given a machine if he asks.