Depression and Weight Loss

mortla
mortla Posts: 73
edited November 9 in Motivation and Support
I am having issues with weight loss and one of my huge problems is my depression. I am diagnosed with bi-polar II and have been on medication for many years. I find myself in a downward spiral and I just don't care about weight loss or anything that would improve my health. After I come out of my funk, I realize I am sabotaging myself. Does anyone else have issues with depression and weight loss? Suggestions welcomed....support needed.

Replies

  • appleseeds
    appleseeds Posts: 212 Member
    Type 1. Kills me every time. Lose 8 gain 6 lose 4 gain 3. I just had a cry on my news feed because I was pretty on top of things and I switched from the pill to this needle thing that lasts for 3 months and I don't know if thats what ****ed my brain up for the last 2 weeks or if its just my regular brain spiral patterns. :(. I'm an emo tonight. I swear I'm usually not though.

    I always thought meds might help with dieting cause you wouldn't be so up down up down up down all the time? No? From your post I inference maybe not?
  • mortla
    mortla Posts: 73
    I take Effexor and I have been on it since 2006. I have not noticed that it helps curb my appetite at all. Now with this being said I do not go to therapy...maybe that would help but to be honest, everytime start talking to my therapist about sensitive issues, I don't return.
  • pinkuslinkus
    pinkuslinkus Posts: 11
    I have suffered with depression for about 11 years now and only recently started taking medication. Years of feeling rubbish and seeing counseller after counseller. I bit the bullet and asked for more help from a better GP and found out about CBT. I haven't had any yet but have brought some books which have been helping me cope. I was also dignosed with social anxiety disorder which hinders my gym going and running. But yes I find myself crying and beating myself up about my weight. But I really would recommending some CBT books to read through.
  • appleseeds
    appleseeds Posts: 212 Member
    I sort of ment nit that meds would curb appetite, but that having a stable mood wouldn't lead to emotional eating. I have the same issues with therapy. Vomit. No thanks. I couldn't never respect someone else's opinion enough anyway.
  • JDavid007
    JDavid007 Posts: 331 Member
    I have been borderline Bipolar. My mother and sister have it for sure. Over the last year I had been losing energy every day. I finally got off my butt and went to a new doctor that started me on 150 mg of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) to supplement my 20mg of Lexapro. That was not working so she upped it to 300mg of Wellbutrin (Bupropion). Then they took blood work and found I was Vitamin D deficient as well as had very low Testosterone. I saw a doctor about that and he did more tests that confirmed this as well. Well as some may know low Testosterone or the female version Estrogen can add to depression.

    My weight is also a factor. So I finally said I will not let this get me down any longer. I started Exercising 5 times a week and eating very healthy. Check my diary. I was also sent to a medication manager that added Lmotrigine 50mg to help my mood swings. I am supposed to get to 100mg soon.

    So far I feel much better and I think all of my efforts are starting to pay off. I have not been depressed or have many mood swings in weeks. That is a first for me. I have also been taking hormone treatments as well which is helping. I hope to get off the hormones once I lose the weight. One of the medications is clearly cubing my appetite, not sure which one but I find it hard sometimes to eat all of my daily calories.


    Sorry such a long reply.:flowerforyou:
  • ariel3561
    ariel3561 Posts: 27 Member
    Years ago I was diagnosed as bipolar with anxiety and was heavily medicated. Was also on birth control. With all the meds I was on I was nearly non-functioning. Since I've been off ALL medications I've found that the birth control pill was probably what was causing my emotional roller coaster to begin with. I'm not trying to discount what you are going through as many people really do need medications. But my experience was one where I was overmedicated for something that was a biproduct of something else.
  • JDavid007
    JDavid007 Posts: 331 Member
    But my experience was one where I was overmedicated for something that was a biproduct of something else.

    I agree. I hope with my med manager we can slowly ween of some of the meds!
  • OnceAndFutureAthlete
    OnceAndFutureAthlete Posts: 192 Member
    I'm someone who has gone through long cycles of clinical depression, been in one for more than a year now, but can feel myself "emerging" in recent months.

    I was just saying to a friend tonight that since I started my diet - regular small meals, low carb, limited fruit (sugar!), and eliminated all the "white stuff" (sugar, rice, flour, etc.) - I've really noticed my mood has stabilized and now even lifted. No more blood sugar and seratonin "waves" perhaps? Anyway, it's also helping me stay on my program. I've always had a total sweet tooth, but now the thought of a donut or something just makes me think ugh. (Bonus: Skin looking great, too!)

    I would suggest starting out not worrying about quantity (calories) but just eat as much of the good stuff (only!) as you want, and then once you've cleaned up your diet, you can worry about calorie reduction.

    Walks outside really help me too, both for the exercise and the sunshine/Vitamin D, which blood work showed I was deficient in. You might want to have that checked.

    Lastly, I've learned that - for me - it is cyclical, and sometimes I just need to hang on and "ride it out" until my brain comes around and I can take on things like my weight, and remind myself not to beat myself up for not doing more in the meantime. Not sure if that's true for you, but if you're cycling, it might help.

    (I know, hard to do when you're in the midst of it, but over time you can learn to have perspective/experience and recognise "ah, I'm at this stage and this is what will happen next...")

    Hope it helps!
  • dancerman
    dancerman Posts: 46 Member
    I had a long talk with my therapist this week about this -

    not at all to sound like a fanatic on these boards but I find that yoga is the best antidepressant for me -
    it works much better, is much steadier
    and the 'side effects' are great instead of making you feel like crappola...

    turns out there are several major clinical trials going on now that compare the effects of yoga to antidepressants...

    ya might give it a try...
    I find it helps me to get traction, momentum -
    then I don't want to eat poorly
    or skip class...

    best of luck - it is such a $hitty hole we have to dig ourselves out of

    get support!
    (glad you posted this!)
  • JDavid007
    JDavid007 Posts: 331 Member
    Bump for others to see
  • MomsTooBig
    MomsTooBig Posts: 201 Member
    I have suffered from major depression since childhood, and have found as an adult now, it has become harder to manage.
    I take Paxil 20mg for it daily, and although I don't believe it's caused any weight gain, or inability to lose weight itself (the meds), it also only keeps my mood stable (Keeps me from not just staying in bed all day crying, or being a super mega ultra b**** to everyone). Most days I still feel pretty crappy though....

    The thing I hate about depression (besides the fact that it hurts like hell), is the struggle with sanity.
    When I was younger, I remember walking to school, and I just burst out crying. I felt so incredibly sad, and I could NOT stop. I was arguing with myself, "wtf??!!....You have no test, you have your health, the weather is nice.....smarten the f*** up!!". I was aware how stupid it was, but yet I had not control. That part of me believed there was something very sad and worth crying for....

    My point is (sorry, long I know),....depression is incredibly influential on one's ability to lose (or even gain) weight. For some, it's the meds that they take that make it hard, for others like myself, it's dealing with the lows, and trying to maintain as much control as I can when it's at it's worst. When it comes to taking care of myself, be it eating habits, hygiene, etc,...there are some days where I either just truly 'forget', or don't want to cause I just don't care.

    I posted in my profile that my goal on MFP is to lose weight (obviously), but now reading and replying to this thread makes me realize that even more so then that, it's to maintain my 'sanity'. As long as I can fight it, I will NOT let the depression take me completely. 'I'm' still in me too (if that makes sense)

    Despite my bouts and bad days,...I've lost over 17 lbs,....and I WILL lose more!!!!
    IN YOUR FACE DEPRESSION! :wink:

    Tracy
  • lornabug
    lornabug Posts: 16
    I bit the bullet and asked for more help from a better GP and found out about CBT. I haven't had any yet but have brought some books which have been helping me cope. I was also dignosed with social anxiety disorder which hinders my gym going and running. But yes I find myself crying and beating myself up about my weight. But I really would recommending some CBT books to read through.

    I wasn't benefiting from opening old wounds in psychotherapy and I want to get pregnant soon and avoid meds. That made CBT good for me too.

    Studies show Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works as well as medication or psychotherapy.

    I read Learned Optimism, by Martin Seeligman. He founded the field and is a respected researcher; it's not mumbo jumbo. It focuses on changing your thoughts and your behaviors, because those affect your mood. Studies show that successful and happy people internally explain and respond to events differently. This book teaches you to do what they do. Seeking out a specialist is useful for support and instruction. I was appalled that my shrink and psychiatrist hadn't recommended it earlier. I highly recommend trying it if you want pragmatic, evidence-based solutions.
  • spiritedsummer
    spiritedsummer Posts: 5
    Hi all, just joined the forum today and found this thread right away. Been using the app for my fitness pal and it's been great but I also suffer with depression and anxiety. I am struggling with insomnia so doc recently swapped my meds for one with a sedative effect (not working FYI) and my appetite has just EXPLODED!!! I'm still faithfully tracking my exercise etc but wow it's hard to stay motivated when you feel low and just want to eat everything in sight. Hoping joining here and talking to others who are trying to get back in shape might help me kick start again
    ~summer
  • lore2810
    lore2810 Posts: 57 Member
    I have suffered from depression and anxiety as well. I try to avoid taking any meds since I am on enough meds for rheumatoid arthritis. My counsellor has helped me deal with the depression. And I've slowly started adding exercise which definitely improves my mood. We did cycle one of the 17 day diet and my mood and energy improved greatly after a week. That was the proof I needed to make a permanent lifestyle change. :)

    I'm far from perfect and have had several 'cheats' but just take it one day at a time.

    Good luck to everybody struggling with depression and/or anxiety!
  • Steelheart7
    Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056
    I too have struggled with depression and anxiety for years. Not bi-polor or anything..I have struggled with it for 11 years and in the past couple of years I have really been dealing with getting through my problems and issues ... instead of ignoring them. In the past 2 1/2 years I have put on 80 pounds trying to deal with those issues.

    Anyway, long story short .. I was in therapy for a good year and just basically have learned to get the hell out of my own way. It was me that was keeping me down, me that was making myself miserable. Your outlook really has an affect on your weight and whether or not you can even give a crap about looking good or feeling good. I have finally gotten to a place where I feel like I am ready to tackle weight loss and stop obssessing about what I don't have or what makes me UNhappy and focus on me and what I do have and what makes me happy.

    I have never felt this light .. yet weighed so much. lol. But, the weight will come off and taking that time to learn about myself and how to work through my depression and get to the other side of it is just priceless. No matter what it took to get me there. I am happy and looking forward to life and losing this weight and looking as light as I feel now.

    There really is an end to depression if you combine meds and therapy and a positive outlook. Medication alone was never enough for me.
  • spiritedsummer
    spiritedsummer Posts: 5
    It's really inspiring hearing positive stories. Hoping that with adding more exercise into my routine will help with the sleeping and my mood as well as shaping up! Thanks all, I'm glad already that I've joined this forum xxx
    ~summer
  • glennstoudt
    glennstoudt Posts: 403 Member
    For everyone challenged by this please consider dietary balances and omega 3. There is some strong evidence that there can be a positive influence from a diet favoring a 1:1 ratio to omega 3 v. omega 6. Not a conditional or medical statement but please investigate it.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    I bit the bullet and asked for more help from a better GP and found out about CBT. I haven't had any yet but have brought some books which have been helping me cope. I was also dignosed with social anxiety disorder which hinders my gym going and running. But yes I find myself crying and beating myself up about my weight. But I really would recommending some CBT books to read through.

    I wasn't benefiting from opening old wounds in psychotherapy and I want to get pregnant soon and avoid meds. That made CBT good for me too.

    Studies show Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works as well as medication or psychotherapy.

    I read Learned Optimism, by Martin Seeligman. He founded the field and is a respected researcher; it's not mumbo jumbo. It focuses on changing your thoughts and your behaviors, because those affect your mood. Studies show that successful and happy people internally explain and respond to events differently. This book teaches you to do what they do. Seeking out a specialist is useful for support and instruction. I was appalled that my shrink and psychiatrist hadn't recommended it earlier. I highly recommend trying it if you want pragmatic, evidence-based solutions.
    thanks for the book recommendation!:flowerforyou:
  • reallifealien
    reallifealien Posts: 128 Member
    i had untreated depression a few months ago (due to a relapse which progressively got worse). i got into a habit of binge eating a lot when i felt depressed. my appetite became out of control; i found it hard to even stay within my maintenance calories. i've been on fluoxetine 20mg for about a month ago and it's been great - my appetite has been lowered and i'm far less inclined to binge eat now. i'm hoping that when the weather gets warmer here i'll have a bit more motivation to out jogging & cycling to my exercise - back when i was untreated i found it hard to even drag myself outside for a short walk :/
  • Iceman420
    Iceman420 Posts: 195
    Depression has been a problem for me too. It's not bad enough to need medication, but it has definitely sabotaged my weight loss attempts. There are days when I don't care about anything, and I binge to make myself feel better.
  • mamato3inca
    mamato3inca Posts: 168 Member
    To the OP, I am not a Dr, but I have a few family members with Bipolar Disorder. You mentioned you are on an antidepressant , but you didn't mention a mood stabllizer. Being on an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer can cause more harm than good. There are several available now, without all the side effects and risks associated with the old school meds. It sounds like your mood cycling is the problem? I hope this helps.
  • yuckidah
    yuckidah Posts: 290 Member
    I have suffered from major depression since childhood, and have found as an adult now, it has become harder to manage.
    I take Paxil 20mg for it daily, and although I don't believe it's caused any weight gain, or inability to lose weight itself (the meds), it also only keeps my mood stable (Keeps me from not just staying in bed all day crying, or being a super mega ultra b**** to everyone). Most days I still feel pretty crappy though....

    The thing I hate about depression (besides the fact that it hurts like hell), is the struggle with sanity.
    When I was younger, I remember walking to school, and I just burst out crying. I felt so incredibly sad, and I could NOT stop. I was arguing with myself, "wtf??!!....You have no test, you have your health, the weather is nice.....smarten the f*** up!!". I was aware how stupid it was, but yet I had not control. That part of me believed there was something very sad and worth crying for....

    My point is (sorry, long I know),....depression is incredibly influential on one's ability to lose (or even gain) weight. For some, it's the meds that they take that make it hard, for others like myself, it's dealing with the lows, and trying to maintain as much control as I can when it's at it's worst. When it comes to taking care of myself, be it eating habits, hygiene, etc,...there are some days where I either just truly 'forget', or don't want to cause I just don't care.

    I posted in my profile that my goal on MFP is to lose weight (obviously), but now reading and replying to this thread makes me realize that even more so then that, it's to maintain my 'sanity'. As long as I can fight it, I will NOT let the depression take me completely. 'I'm' still in me too (if that makes sense)

    Despite my bouts and bad days,...I've lost over 17 lbs,....and I WILL lose more!!!!
    IN YOUR FACE DEPRESSION! :wink:

    ^ This is very similar to my 'story' :flowerforyou:
  • ecw3780
    ecw3780 Posts: 608 Member
    From what my husband has experienced, when he's depressed he doesn't want to eat, but when his meads are working he enjoys all things more...including food. Instead of beating himself up over his calories, he just tries to make a really good effort to log absolutely everything he eats- even if it is 1000's of calories over. Some weeks he makes the good choices, some days he blows it. At the very least, he is no longer gaining.
  • LittleDoodlePoodle
    LittleDoodlePoodle Posts: 154 Member
    Bump to read later. I suffer from anxiety and depression, which has led to also ocd and agoraphoba as tendencies, and I am currently on medication for it, but I find that while I am happy, I am really enjoying exercise and getting fit, but as I am currently in one of my downward spirals, all I do is eat bad food and berate myself. I believe my medication is also linked to affecting weight levels as well, and I put on 10lbs since I started it, but I'm hoping it won't affect my metabolic rate provided I get my diet together...

    We'll all support each other! x
  • keem88
    keem88 Posts: 1,689 Member
    i'm diagnosed with mood disorder nos, and go through phases of not giving a crap about myself, what goes in my body, or how i treat it.
    some days suck, and i dont want to do anything.
    but exercising really can help you feel better, from the release of endophins that can help elevate your mood.
    i haven't been on any medications in a long time, i feel they do not do anything and sometimes cause weight gain too.
    the best thing really to do is get support from others, maybe find a buddy on here to keep you in check, and no matter how hard it is drag your behind out of bed, and do some form of exercise. it could be crunches and dumbbells while watching tv, or listening to music while taking a long walk. especially if the weather is nicer, that really can help lift your spirits.
    i hope you can find something that works for you!
    talk therapy isn't for everyone, believe me i know. i can't stand to see a therapist or counselor, even though i am a mental health counselor at a residential facility.
  • lmhaith2013
    lmhaith2013 Posts: 4
    I have been diagnosed with depression as well. The first time was when my father committed suicide on christmas day 1994. The second time was late 2011 after the death of my 22 year old cousin in July than the death of my mother in sept. 2011. Yes depression is sent straight from the pits of hell, just my opinion. But you have to find something in your life that you love and are committed to. Than whenever you began to tread down the road of "I Can't" remember yes you can. you are loved, your life has a purpose and a meaning. Instead of eating committ to getting up and doing a good deed for someone. Whether it's volunteering at a shelter, or helping serve meals to the homeless. Because if you want to beat depression you have to realize that as bad as things are for you someone else has it worse. That will take your mind off of you. Try it, I'm sure you will be amazed and grateful.
  • Brummig
    Brummig Posts: 94
    but exercising really can help you feel better, from the release of endophins that can help elevate your mood.
    i haven't been on any medications in a long time, i feel they do not do anything and sometimes cause weight gain too.
    the best thing really to do is get support from others, maybe find a buddy on here to keep you in check, and no matter how hard it is drag your behind out of bed, and do some form of exercise. it could be crunches and dumbbells while watching tv, or listening to music while taking a long walk. especially if the weather is nicer, that really can help lift your spirits.
    i hope you can find something that works for you!

    I totally agree with this. I've had issues with anxiety in the past, although it's been a lot better in the last few years following some talking therapy, and as I lost weight and became healthier, and I learned about my triggers and how to deal with them better. The last few months we have had a LOT of stuff going on as a family, and it's been really busy. At the start of this time I started working at a trainer at the gym after hurting my shoulder, and he challenged me to loose my last half stone. I forced myself to make the time to go the gym 3-4 times a week, however busy it was, and I realised that instead of giving me extra stress it was helping. I've had anxiety issues relating to a gym in the past, and for the first few months at this gym I would rarely speak to staff, so I knew this was something I had to change, so I've got to know a few of them, tried out classes etc and they have been really supportive. It really helped yesterday - we have a huge meeing on Tuesday, and I can feel my anxiety levels rising (had first panic attack in a long time on Friday), rather than turn to food, I have stayed with the exercise - it's hard to go (the last couple of days I could really easily have not gone) but I feel so much better for doing it. I even spoke to the gym manager yesterday to see if I can go in early on Tuesday morning (I only have off-peak membership) as I figure I will be awake VERY early and it's better to exercise that sit at home stressing!

    I hope you find something that works for you.
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