Others who also have severe mental health problems and need to lose 100+ lbs?

I don't think enough research has really been applied, or addressed to mental health disorders and obesity. I used to eat myself into a comatose state, just for the escape. Not unlike a Borderline Cutter, who cuts to reduce pain. I also used to go into "food mania", like a bi-polar, in a manic state, but I was in a daze of shopping at the store for food, because for some strange reason, having tons of food, shopping for food, even food I could not afford made me feel, "secure", it was very surreal. And I would make the food, cooking several dishes, and then eating them all, in a manic frenzy, not stopping until the weekend was over, only to realize all I did all weekend, was cook, and eat.

Depression, being overwhelmed...feeling out of control, worthless, and low self esteem.

How does anyone recover from all of that?!

Change. Slowly. I made "rules" for myself, "no eating fast food", "take lunch every day", measure food, no more pizza, or ice cream. I would allow myself ice cream, but like I was an addict, I refused to have any in the house, if I really wanted ice cream, I could have it, but it meant leaving the house, and buying a single cone, not too easy if the ice cream craving hit at 11 pm...

As for psychotropic medication, it is not an exact science, and I do better without any psychopharmacology. It may help some, but just made me ravenously starving. I don't need that kind of "help".

You are not alone. Things can change, just make one change, if that is all you can manage, it is better than giving up.

I get you. At one point was living minute by minute. It does get better. Not going to give you the "light at the end of the tunnel" speech. For all we know, that light could be a train speeding toward you!

Instead, I can tell you, exercise helps mental illness, regardless of what you have.

I was on a anti-psychotic & literally doubled my weight in 3 years. My heighest weight was 307. I am now 177. It's taken a year of meticulous logging. And I mean HONEST logging. The good, bad & ugly.

So many people love pleading ignorance, to their own detriment. You are obviously aware of your illness. Try to start noticing & accepting your accomplishments, no matter how small. Once you start logging daily, I promise you will be more aware & get on a roll. You'll be amazed at the leaps you take. Try writing things down & reflect back when you get down & appreciate what you have done.

Chin up, you can do this.

I have major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder and I have taken psychiatric medications since I was 15. I have 100 pounds to lose and I am sure that at least half of that extra weight I have put on has been because of my meds. I was on Seroquel for years and I strongly believe that was the culprit to my excessive weight gain. I believe weight gain is a symptom to greater problems and mental illnesses are one of the main reasons.
I am slowly finding the help that I need and putting in the work to get into a healthy state. But it has taken me years because of the lack of openness about mental health and the overall stigma. I hope this new year can see me finally starting to make a dent into my goals, I am tired of going around in circles. It is time to take some steps forward. I wish the best for everyone. Blessings.

I deal with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. I started meds at 12 and spent a year in and out of the hospital at thirteen. When I went into the hospital the first time I was trying to cope by not eating. During that year a combination of new meds and replacing a lack of eating with binge eating I gained nearly 100 pounds. Years later I am doing a lot better (certainly not perfect) with my mental health, but I am trying to learn to have a healthy relationship with food. On my bad days I still go back to food. I could quit my other 'coping' mechanisms, but am still working on properly dealing with food. I am going to send you a request, support is key!

i peaked at 287 lbs. i take 14 pills a day all of which are related to my not-so-functional brain. every one of them has a weight side effect. i've had severe depression (now diagnosed bipolar II but i almost never have hypomania) my whole life. i also have anxiety, epilepsy and asperger's. my brain is fun

i'm kind of new here but am around 230 now, so i'm heading into the right direction.