Lets talk depression

MJ7910

I have depression, but it is well controlled with medication. I was on a med that made it impossible for me to lose weight (Lexapro), but switched and have been able to lose steadily ever since. The only time I had problems was when I was transitioning between medications, because my depression was not well controlled. If it gets out of control, I will stuff my face.

which ones don't affect weight or weight loss?

jeni_Giedd

I was on Lexapro too, and couldn't lose weight. In fact I gained 50 pounds in two years. Now I am on Pristiq and doing MUCH better.

amiles21693

I have depression, anxiety, and ptsd. I'm currently not on any medications because I havent found any that really work for me. When I feel really down and sad, its not that I want to eat more, its just that I stop caring. So, I'll shovel down anything I see or feel like. On those days, now that I'm trying to lose weight, I try to find better things to do. And if all else fails I go to sleep. But reading, exercising, and talking to my boy friend really help me out.

amiles21693

When I get stressed, I auto-eat, kind of like how alcoholics have drinks at the end of the day or people chain-smoke. I also zap out, which means I sleep a lot to escape. And I shop. Right now, our family is going through a lot, which means the eating is worse.

I know exactly how that goes. When I'm stressed or anxious or depressed I sleep so much!

WifeNMama

I get SAD, but this year has been better The weather has been mild so we've gone outside more, and starting a regular exercise program really helped, too.
I was depressed and suicidal as a young teenager, but still get mood swings that are partially related to my cycle, but also change at other times. I wonder sometimes if I should get evaluated. Hypothyroidism is runs rampant in my family so I'm going to start from there.
I definitely self medicate with food. Keeping track of it really helps curb that though.

catic

I have SAD which is seasonal affective disorder and I get it in winter and that's when I eat more than I should because I don't wanna do anything or go anywhere if I can stay in my warm house with my comfort food.

hum, maybe i have SAD, that's how I feel all winter. But in the nice motnhs, I;m full of energy and life!

icemaiden17_uk

I have PTSD, PND and anxiety! I have been having CBT for a while now and I have also been treating it with excersise! Since I started thinking of my workouts as part of my treatment I have been doing it a lot more and i have seen real progress! My numbers are still a bit up and down but I ma getting better! The hardest thing is getting up and going to the gym or doing my workouts but I just think it is my therapy and I have to go and it is getting easier as time goes by!

miriamparkinson

My depression never impacted my eating and weight but boy did my medication! In a year of medication I gained 10kg (22 pounds) after having a completely stable weight for 6 years (since highschool). My doctor is now talking about taking me off medication which freaks me out a little but hopefully it will help me lose that weight again.

vanessaclarkgbr

I take 10mg of Citalopram daily for GAD and have had problems in the past with depression (bought on by the anxiety.) Seroxat (I think 40mg at the time) had me gaining and even with a strict diet and exercise I couldn't lose. I was switched to Citapram 40mg (a newer SSRI) and not had problems with gain (that wasn't related to me eating and not exercising) since, and have bought the dose right down, but unable to come off all together without symptoms returning (apparently some people fail to produce enough seratonin or can damage their neuro transmitters/receivers after a breakdown, but 10mg - life could be a lot worse couldn't it.)

I crave sweet food regularly, but the more I exercise and the more protein I eat, the better it is - it's just getting yourself motivated I know.

I've read a few articles on supplementing with Chromium - I've bought a couple of tubs to try out as apparently it takes less than a week to work, so I'll see how it goes (my cravings may well be hormone related, so keeping an open mind, willing to try most legal things :-D)

MJ7910

are there any of these that dont' cause weight gain?

_persephone_

I've had bouts of depression my whole life, and it very definitely affects the way I eat. When I'm in the acute beginning stages of it, I can barely eat at all (and have often gone days without thinking of food). Obviously this plays havoc with my metabolism, so when it starts to ease off I usually start craving sweet things (which is partly my body crying out for energy, and partly due to the complete lack of motivation to make real food, I think) I tend to gain a lot of fat.

However, I have found in the past that a very healthy diet and regular exercise really helps me stave off depression (I managed to have 2 years completely free of it in this way before I had some hectic life stuff go on, which set me off again)...in fact, this is why I'm here now, trying to get back on course again.

Try to find an exercise you really enjoy...the endorphins will help take the edge off the way you feel, and don't beat yourself up about overeating once in a while.

And big hugs to you too, it sucks, but it'll get better

MamaChunk

I do and it does...

I have struggled for years. My Dr started my on meds, and it has really helped. I do, however, have days that I struggle.

Some days I don't want to eat, other days I can't keep the fork away from my face...:grumble:

XXXMinnieXXX

I have acute depression, that was destroying everything to be honest. I comfort ate to the point of putting on 8 stones in 1 year alone, as one the next year. I went on a drug called Mirtazipine\zispin and it changed my life. Its for depression, anxiety and sleep. I also started therapy, this has helped also. Keep fighting for your happiness and demand more help from professionals, some times you have to really fight for the help but its worth it! Zara x

craftzilla

I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety disorder about 8 years ago. Recently, since being pretty stable, I'm trying to go off my meds. Like others, I gained a lot of weight on meds. (Lexapro and generic prozac...of course my psych always said, "There's no proof that meds cause weight gain!" I also found it very difficult to lose any weight while on my meds. Did any of you find that? And, if you did, how did going off influence your weight loss.

Obviously being stable, healthy and happy is more important than weight loss, but I'd really like to start losing more weight, too Good luck to all of you who struggle with SAD and Depression/anxiety. It is a very, very difficult thing to deal with. My prayer are with all of you!