Depression is a common problem, which can affect anyone. If you’re suffering from it, the last thing you might want to do is eat more food. But it turns out that being depressed can make you lose weight! We looked into the science behind dieting in depression and found 5 fascinating facts. Let’s find out what they are.
Depression Makes You A Good Candidate For Nutritional Therapy.
The first thing you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re trying to lose weight when depressed is that nutritional therapy might be a good option for you. Nutritional therapy takes into account the whole picture of a person’s health, rather than focusing on one symptom. So if you’re taking into account that you’re depressed, you might be a good candidate for nutritional therapy. A lot of people find that their diet changes work better when combined with pharmaceutical therapy than when used alone. So if you’re open to new ideas, nutritional therapy might be a good option for you.
People With Depression Usually Tend To Eat More.
Another thing you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re trying to lose weight when depressed is that people with depression usually tend to eat more. The American Psychiatric Association classified depression as a ‘feeding disorder,’ because feeding is often a symptom of depression. This can make it really hard for people to lose weight, because they’ll often feel like they’re starving even when they’re not. But even if you’re not, it’s normal for someone with depression to have feelings of hunger. Just make sure you’re keeping up with your nutrition needs, and try to avoid eating when you’re not feeling hungry. This can help keep off the extra pounds!
Depressed People Have Trouble Sleeping.
If you’re struggling with insomnia, that’s another thing you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re trying to lose weight when depressed. Insomnia is a very common symptom of depression, and it makes it hard for people to get in touch with their bodies’ natural rhythms. This can cause some weight gain, because the person will be inactive and thus have less energy to burn. But sleeping well is crucial for your general health, so don’t worry about it too much! Try some of the over-the-counter sleep aids, and if that doesn’t work, consider talking to your doctor about prescriptions.
Depression Leads To A Few Specific Habits.
One of the things that can cause someone to lose weight is developing specific habits. The American Psychiatric Association listed the following as symptoms of depression:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
- Significant weight loss when not dieting (at least 10% of body weight in six months)
- Trouble sleeping
- Sleeping too much
- Loss of appetite (anhedonia)
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- A desire to commit suicide
All these symptoms can make it really hard for someone to stay motivated when trying to lose weight. So it might be a good idea to start by changing your habits, which will in turn help you lose the weight. Start by taking more walks, going to the park, and trying to spend more time with friends and family. These are just a few tips to get you through the first few weeks of your dieting journey!
Depressed People’s Bodies Have Different Hormones.
Now that you’re starting to realize that being depressed can make you lose weight, it’s important to remember that your hormones play a large role in how you look. One of the things that the American Psychiatric Association mentions is that people with depression often have trouble with their hormones. So if you’re struggling with depression, your hormones might be out of balance. Just keep in mind that you’re more than likely to lose weight as a side effect of proper treatment. But until then, try to manage your diet and exercise as usual.
If you’re interested in trying to lose weight when depressed, make sure you consult your doctor or a dietician. They can help you set up a good plan to get you started and keep you on track. If you want to learn more, the American Psychiatric Association has an entire chapter devoted to depression and dieting that you can read here. And if you’d like, you can find several online resources that can help educate you about nutritional therapy for depression. Talk to your doctor about whether or not this is the right option for you, and set a goal to start losing weight as soon as possible!