Hiiiii struggling with weight due to anxiety and depression

I've struggled with depression since I was 10 and anxiety since 2005. Finding the right medication helped get me started and finding a physical activity I enjoyed (weight lifting) reduced my symptoms of both. Good luck and stick with it for the long haul.

jennduuhhhh wrote: »

Thank you! I tried medications and they didn't help me.

It took me a few years to get the right combination.

I suffered from depression for about 6 months from before Christmas until almost April. I was in the best shape ever before becoming depressed and I gained about 20kg from binge eating and not being able to control my snacking on bad sugary foods. I got hold of an amazing drug known as Lorcaserin. It saved me it is a mood enhancer and appetite suppressant and it worked for me so much that after 3-4 weeks I could control my urges myself and got myself out of binge eating and started eating healthier. Look into it. It might work for you too.

me too!!! had a rough year or so in HS and gained about 35lbs. finally got it off, but im finding it a daily struggle to keep it off. I'll take all the supporters here as well!!

I've never suffered from severe depression but exercise ALWAYS helps when I'm feeling down or starting to slide down that direction. The endorphins it releases are directly related to a feeling of happiness and being content. I also second what the above posters mention. Medication is a long term commitment and may take years to find the right combination. Some people can manage by eating healthier and exercising. Others can't. Talk to your doctor and get on the right path. If the doctor is not helping or is unwilling to work with you, find a new doctor.

Hey!

I appreciate your post. I am a 27 year old, 5'6" male, so a little shorter than average which has always been a source of frustration. I have suffered from anxiety, depression, and body image issues since high school. I took a medical leave my second year of college and entered intensive outpatient treatment for an eating disorder. Now, at 27, having gone through the worst year of my life (really it beat dropping out of school for treatment), I find myself 12 pounds over my ideal body weight (having gained 25 pounds in the past year). So I have been all over the place and been through plenty of therapy and have become extremely self-aware in the process. I have tried just about every SSRI available and a host of other medications as well.

Please do not feel ashamed about it, that is probably the worst thing to do. Don't do that positive thinking *kitten* either. Just accept where you are and what the best thing to do is moving forward. Change is hard, and relapse is part of the process, once again don't be ashamed, just accept it, learn from it, and move forward.

I agree with a lot of the above. Exercise does huge benefits for my mental and physical well being. I recommend exercise in the morning, if possible, as it puts you in a good place for the rest of the day. The mental effects carry on throughout the day and it puts you in a good "healthy mindset" through as well.

I am actually a pharmacist (seriously, that is what I was in school for, I transferred schools after my medical leave and just completed a PGY1 in managed care pharmacy), so I can answer questions or concerns you have about medications.

Briefly, Paxil (paroxetine) can be used to treat both anxiety and depression but is the most likely medication to cause weight gain. Effexor (venlafaxine) can be used for anxiety and depression and is weight neutral (currently taking) but has some nasty withdrawal symptoms if you miss doses for a couple days or do not taper on discontinuation. Wellbutrin (bupropion) will actually promote weight loss (it is half of what is in the new combination medication Contrave [bupropion/naltrexone] for weight loss) but is only indicated for depression.

Hit me up if you wanna talk or learn more (goes for everyone).

Not sure if there is actually a direct message on this thing though, I am new too.

Hey everyone,

In the same boat here after coming down with a severe anxiety condition (Panic disorder) about 9 years ago. Medications really never did anything for me, I did get referred to a therapist by my doctor which didn't go well at all. During the 'application' I told them that I occasionally smoked some weed to help me to relax but that it would be no problem to just pack it in altogether. Their response was to tell me that they cannot help drug addicts lol I kind of gave up on the idea of therapy after that.

A lot of the gradual weight gain for me has been due to such a sedentary lifestyle compared to how I used to be, so being able to get out down to the park on roller-blades now is not only great exercise but a huge mental boost just to be out of the loneliness of my flat. I do feel a bit pathetic that being able to say 'hello' to an elderly couple walking their dog can actually be one of the highlights in my day. I'm feeling really driven towards exercise right now as it isn't just helping me burn down these few extra pounds but is also helping me fight back against my anxiety and the depression that comes from becoming so isolated.

@Lotusgirlruns - Haha I know that feeling, I'm trying to work up to joining a gym but the prospect of the shame I will feel being in there is what really holds me back. I might try finding out what their quietest hours are and give it a try then!

It is of course horrible to know that other people are suffering too, I wish none of you suffered from your anxieties and depression, but it is good in a way to know others who are going through the same things too. If any of you are having a bad day with it or just want someone to chat to that will be more likely to understand what you are going through then feel free to send me a message to have a chat.

If I don't hear from any of you then I wish you all the best in your fight against it and I hope you can all find at least one reason to smile each day

So glad I came across this thread this morning as I need this kind of support. I lost all my weight at one point, over 150lbs and thought that would help me with my anxiety and depression since being overweight and feeling so bad about myself surely was trigger for my depression, unfortunately my depression and anxiety has continued, and gotten worse in many ways and losing the weight has left me isolated and friendless the past few years, why is still a mystery to me but I guess Im just not cut out for friendships. I would love to add those who have responded to this thread.