The Surprising Link Between PTSD and Diabetes

How Chronic Stress Can Influence Blood Sugar and Long-Term Health

Many people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as purely emotional or psychological, but research increasingly shows it can have lasting effects on the body—including a heightened risk for diabetes. For adults living with trauma or caring for someone who does, understanding this connection is essential for proactive, compassionate health care.

What the Research Shows

Several large studies have found that individuals with PTSD are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without the condition. A 2018 study in JAMA Psychiatry followed nearly 50,000 women over 22 years and found that those with the highest PTSD symptoms were almost two times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Similarly, a meta-analysis in The Lancet Psychiatry confirmed this trend across multiple populations, highlighting the role of chronic stress as a risk factor for metabolic diseases.

Why PTSD Can Disrupt Blood Sugar

PTSD triggers a prolonged fight-or-flight response, meaning the body is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase blood glucose to prepare for action—useful in short bursts, but harmful when chronic.

According to the American Diabetes Association, this ongoing stress can make it harder for insulin to do its job, a condition known as insulin resistance. Over time, this can lead to prediabetes or full-blown type 2 diabetes.

In addition, many people with PTSD experience disrupted sleep, emotional eating, or sedentary lifestyles—all of which can increase diabetes risk, as noted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Risk Factors and Who Is Most Affected

The connection between PTSD and diabetes appears strongest in:

• Women, especially those who have survived abuse or violence (JAMA Psychiatry)

• Veterans, due to exposure to combat trauma (VA Research Currents)

• People with limited access to mental health care or a history of childhood trauma (NIH)

Even individuals who do not meet the full criteria for PTSD but have experienced significant trauma may be at risk.

What You Can Do

If you or a loved one has PTSD, you can take steps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes:

• Get screened regularly for blood sugar levels, especially if you have other risk factors like obesity or family history.

• Manage PTSD through therapy, medication, and mindfulness practices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to improve not only mental health but also blood glucose control.

• Focus on sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, and daily movement.

• Ask your doctor about any medications that may influence blood sugar.

A Holistic Health Approach

Too often, mental and physical health are treated separately—but the reality is, they are deeply connected. Health care providers are now encouraged to screen for PTSD in patients with diabetes and vice versa, recognizing the two often go hand-in-hand.

By understanding the biological toll of trauma, we can be more compassionate toward ourselves and others—and take steps to protect long-term health.

If you're living with PTSD, caring for your emotional well-being may also be one of the most important things you do for your body.