Managing Depression + Weightloss- How do you do it?

WannabeStressFree

Same here.
I try to manage with healthy eating and exercise- it helps. Though I sometimes just feel blue, this week has been tough for me. I've never been on meds, maybe I needed them in the past but I want to be entirely drug-free.
I struggle with binge eating, I've been ok lately though I always prepare healthy meals and snacks and carry them with me all day. it helps.
I find it's a daily struggle and I do pray a lot. Trying to be happy all the time is something I don't expect but now that I sleep well, eat well and exercise regularly, the good times outnumber the bad.
Happy living! Good luck!

I just read post above mine--- I drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day and I swear on it!

waffleflavoredtea

Hi I have been suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts for 2-3 years and I've been on meds for it for about a year. I tried to wean myself off them multiple times but each time I started getting suicidal thoughts and depression/anxiety attacks, so I had to go back on them.
I've always thought that the best medicine is a healthy diet, but I never imagined that by going 80/10/10, my depression and anxiety would almost completely disappear, and that I could eat and not feel depressed, fat, and guilty afterwards.
I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but for me personally, I believe I've finally found the natural cure for my depression that I was searching for.
I am 80/10/10, which is also called being a 'frugivore' (eating raw fruits and veggies only), or a LFRV (low fat raw vegan) lifestyle.
I don't necessarily think that everyone's depression can be cured by one solution only, but I would recommend trying out this lifestyle if you are at the end of your rope and desperate (like I was).
You are NOT defined by your depression, remember that. You might be a different person when you start to recover (and that takes some getting used to), but I really hope for the best for your life, because I know how much strength it takes EVERY DAY just to get out of bed, to do 'normal' activities, and to take care of everyday responsibilities while in the meantime you are stuck in this disassociated, empty void filled with a self hate and sadness so deep it immobilizes you and weighs you down.

LeanAmbitions

I have bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. I have also been diagnosed with anxiety and major depression in the past, so I feel your pain. I try to go without medicine and it makes me completely not functional. I just pretty much lock myself in my room hurting myself. So my answer is: I deal with the depression and stuff by keeping busy with work, school, and family and taking my medicine. I am on Prozac and Lamictal. I notice the prozac helps with my anxiety as well. Medicine is not for everyone, and I know that so I'm not telling you to do on medicine but that is how I deal. Now that my life is better, I am considering talking to my doc about going off meds but I'm not sure if it's feasible or not. If medicine is not something you want to do, just try to keep yourself busy. Make lists of the positive aspects of your life. Talk to trusted friends or family; people you know love you deeply. Also, if you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to add me and speak to me. I know what it's like and that you can't just snap out of it even if other people tell you you can. I know how bad it feels. Just keep taking care of yourself. Remember you deserve all the good things you have and have done, and people do care for you! even strangers on the Internet.

thefragile7393

I have an anxiety and depression since I was 10....I found out I have hormonal issues and much of my stuff is hormonally related I notice. My worst times were from ages 10-12 right when puberty hit...but I was not on medications until I was 19. Now finally I have recently been able to reduce the medicine I was taking for depression and anxiety finally. I have found exercise helps a lot, finding ways to keep busy. Eating healthy fats (healthy omega 3's and 6's) can help a lot. I have a ton of self-help books as well....I am pretty much the queen of that. Sometimes I take a tiny bit of a tranquilizer if I absolutely need it. I also try a lot of herbal stuff, (which I got with the help of an experienced herbalist). I mostly follow a paleo diet, which eliminates the common allergens that can be a cause of some people's anxiety and depression.

I used to use moodtracker.com to track my moods and notice when I felt worse. It really helped a lot.

Right now I am pretty stable in spite of my chaotic life. I don't know, it's so hard to say much when depression and anxiety are really personal things in the sense of not everything works for everyone.

zanne54

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18347657

This abstract shows a corilation between significant weightloss and an depression. I found it when I began to struggle with depression I thought I had put in my past. It dosnt have the answer but I feel maybe going into mantinance for a month to let my body return to a level state may reset things. At that point I can return to my cut to get rid of the last of my unwanted weight.

Morninglory81 - I tried to read that brief but didn't understand the scientific stats. Can you translate for me? I made the lifestyle change on Jan 2nd and have been using MFP to eat at a caloric deficit since then. I've lost almost 60 lbs; with 20 more to go. And in the past 6 weeks I've been in a real funk; and it's getting worse. Could my calorie restrictions be causing it? Do you have more info?

JohnBG123

Hi all hope everyone is happy today. Or remember this to will pass. But we have to work at it. I was diagnosed about 6 years or when I was 50. I was a great load off of my mind what was wrong with me. Most just called me an alcoholic. I know I am one, but I always knew something else was happening to me> I did all the work stayed sober and worked the steps. But my ups and downs mostly downs were to much for me to handle. I got in touch with a psy doc who diagnosed me. Then it took a year to find the right therapist and psy doc to find the right combo of meds. Wish I could say every thing is right now, but guess what it isn't. But it's different. So last march I decided it was time to loose weight and eat better. The exercise helps to most with depression. When I'm depressed I try to get out and walk the dog. On the nutrition side I did some research on what helps with depression and what may lead to depression. So I added so foods and stopped eating (for the most part) that may increase depression.
If anyone would like to friend me feel free to. We can walk this road together.
John B