Can Depression Cause Weight Loss?

 Can Depression Cause Weight Loss?

Many studies suggest that around 16% of our adult population goes through depression during their life. Symptoms of depression can harm a person’s - sleep, appetite, energy, and motivation. Some might even experience weight loss during the depression. 

The weight deficit can be experienced even after consuming sufficient amounts of daily nutrients.

Let’s learn more about depression and how it can affect your physical health.

Common Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms could be different for everyone depending on their situation. Different types of depression can have different symptoms. 

Here are some common symptoms -

• Having a worried, sad, hopeless feeling.

• Easily getting angry or frustrated.

• Can’t sleep properly (insomnia). 

• Getting suicide or self-harm thoughts.

• Physical issues such as - headaches, GI problems, sexual dysfunction, etc.

Connection Between Depression and Eating Disorders

What eating disorders are? 

It is a psychological condition where a person creates various harmful eating habits that could lead to dangerous health problems or death in some cases (if not treated in time). 

This is a deadly mental health issue that is found commonly in men. They usually don’t share eating habits or deny getting any medical attention. 

Connection Between Depression and Eating Disorders - 

More than 50% of people suffering from eating disorders have some of the common depression symptoms. To treat yourself, you will first need to identify and analyze your eating disorders. 

Symptoms of Eating Disorder - 

Mental Signs

• You are concerned to eat in public

• You make excuses not to eat.

• You lose weight dramatically

• You purge or have a binge eating habit

• You weigh yourself constantly

Physical Signs

• You get dizzy

• You get fainting sensations

• You can’t concentrate properly

• Your muscles feel weak

• Your wounds don’t heal at the usual pace

Treatment for Eating Disorder -

The treatment varies for everyone and you might require to go through different therapy sessions. 

Therapy sessions might include talking with the therapist and having regular visits to a health physician. 

Treatment could also include - Medications prescribed by professionals, nutrition counseling, and psychotherapy. 

How Does Depression Lead to Weight Loss?

Sudden loss in weight can occur during different sessions of depression. Two factors in depression could be the major cause of your weight loss-

A Diminished Appetite-

Depression can take away your hunger, ultimately messing up your appetite. During mental issues, you have minimum activities in hunger-developing areas of the brain. This lack of activity can lead you to skip meals or eat significantly less than usual. You lose calories, and thus your weight starts to diminish.  

Sometimes you won’t even realize you are consuming less and feel weakness and fatigue.

Inconsistent Sleeping Habits-

Because you constantly feel weak, taking daytime naps becomes a habit, which makes it difficult to have a good sleep at night.

In some cases, you might find yourself sleeping more which can also lead to weight loss. 

A study showed people who increased their sleep duration started to consume fewer calories per day.

You can get medical help and set up your diet which includes - fruits, protein, vegetables, etc with sufficient hours of sleep.

How Does Depression Lead to Weight Gain?

On the other hand, we see people gaining weight during the depression. This could happen due to your medications or eating habits. 

Food that comforts you can make you feel good temporarily from your sadness. That is why you might try to eat fast food that contains high amounts of sugar and carbs. Fast foods can trigger a reward area of your brain that gives short-term satisfaction.

What are Some Depression Treatments?

Sometimes you need only one kind of treatment to get rid of your symptoms, sometimes you will have to try a combination of methods.

We won’t study the different medications because it is best to hand out this responsibility to a healthcare professional. 

Psychotherapy 

Another term you can use is “Talk Therapy.” Here the therapist will help you tackle negative situations and to control your feelings in a much more positive way. Group or family therapy sessions work fine if you feel comfortable.

Some types of Psychotherapy:-

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - Here, you and the professional find out exactly what might be causing the depression. 

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - Here, the professional will try to help you accept the negativity in your life and come up with a plan to recover yourself. 

• Light Therapy - Some facetime with white light can improve your mood and help with your symptoms. Usually, this therapy is undertaken to treat the depressive disorder (seasonal affective disorder).

• Electroconvulsive Therapy - This therapy uses electric currents to treat a seizure. Clinical depression can be treated with this therapy. 

• Psychodynamic Therapy - Here, you casually talk with the professional and understand how your present unconscious decisions that are based on your childhood.

• Alternative Options - Doing meditation can handle stress, anger, and anxiety which are some of the triggers. Acupuncture is an old Chinese medical treatment where the professional stimulates areas in your body.

Home Remedies and Tips

Avoid Addictive Substances - Consuming addictive substances can make your life easier in the short term, but, in reality, they will damage your future in terms of both physical and mental health.

Exercise - Aim at three sessions per week, with a minimum time limit of 30 minutes. Physical activity can release a hormone that can improve mood. 

Taking Care of Yourself - Stop contacting negative personalities and focus on yourself and your needs. Get sufficient nutrients and sleep to keep yourself mentally healthy. Participate in events that interest you.

Mental Health Test 

You can’t just take up one test and get accurate results. Your healthcare professional will evaluate and diagnose you.

The questions they ask will be based on your - 

• Appetite

• Mood

• Activity 

• Sleep Cycle

• Thought Process

In most cases, you have a particular health problem along with depression. Most probably the professional will run a few physical analyses on you to detect any problems. 

Don’t feel shy to reach out and ask for help. Avoiding your symptoms can create your situation worse, which can lead to weight loss, panic attacks, relation problems, suicidal thoughts, social isolation or self-harm, etc.