Does anyone else suffer from mental health issues depression, anxiety,etc and trying to lose weight
Replies
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It's always interesting reading about other people's problems, ideas, plans, feelings, etc. Many time when I first started at MFP I'd respond to something, but almost instantly edit it out (I still do at times) I'm very fearful of putting myself out there, just because it has bitten me in the butt other times and that feels really difficult to come back from that. You lose hope, you lose trust, you lose the ability to really just say what you want or need to say to people because you always remember the time someone made fun of you or used it against you.
I learn things from what others post, I feel exactly what others feel which can be a relief really. Ever type something and think that it makes so sense? Just words on a screen? Then someone tells you they understand? My head and heart go "whew!" Like you dodged the judgment bullet.
I don't really know what normal is, but plenty of times I cried out in frustration "why can't I just be normal?!?" But what is normal! Is anyone ever 100% normal? Are 'quirks' somehow more socially acceptable where as depression, bipolar, OCD, anxiety, etc. are not? We give socially acceptable names to people who are 'different' say, eccentric. But it's socially acceptable to label others cruel names. I'm not a psycho nutcase. I'm just me, but I've just got some kinks to work out. That's all!
I'm a rambler, oops!
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This lady! I have always had anxiety/ depression issues that affect my eating and workout habits. It sucks. I bounce back and forth between extremes. I'll work out excessively or lose my energy/ drive and not workout for a while and Ill eat my emotions and put on weight or completely lose my appetite and drop weight too fast...including the muscle I worked so hard to pack on. Right now, Im pretty much at my goal weight but Im hardly eating/ sleeping and not working out at all. Im struggling to get my groove back.5
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It's always interesting reading about other people's problems, ideas, plans, feelings, etc. Many time when I first started at MFP I'd respond to something, but almost instantly edit it out (I still do at times) I'm very fearful of putting myself out there, just because it has bitten me in the butt other times and that feels really difficult to come back from that. You lose hope, you lose trust, you lose the ability to really just say what you want or need to say to people because you always remember the time someone made fun of you or used it against you.
I learn things from what others post, I feel exactly what others feel which can be a relief really. Ever type something and think that it makes so sense? Just words on a screen? Then someone tells you they understand? My head and heart go "whew!" Like you dodged the judgment bullet.
I don't really know what normal is, but plenty of times I cried out in frustration "why can't I just be normal?!?" But what is normal! Is anyone ever 100% normal? Are 'quirks' somehow more socially acceptable where as depression, bipolar, OCD, anxiety, etc. are not? We give socially acceptable names to people who are 'different' say, eccentric. But it's socially acceptable to label others cruel names. I'm not a psycho nutcase. I'm just me, but I've just got some kinks to work out. That's all!
I'm a rambler, oops!
normal is a myth. Some people can just hide the crazy better than others. That’s what I tell myself anyway.5 -
I do. I actually put on 30 pounds after I finally got put on medication to help control my anxiety and depression (It's a big side effect). I also have a short attention span when it comes to trying to lose weight. I have a co-worker who is trying to help keep me accountable on sticking to it this time.4
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You are not alone!! I have anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and while it does pose extra challenges In sticking to a routine, I’m determined to make it work.
A big thing for me is making sure I’m doing the best I can (self care) to manage my mental illness. That is most important. I am on medication, I see a therapist once every other week, I journal, and I listen to guided meditations for stress and panic attacks. I’ve also found that gentle (beginner) yoga helps with anxiety and depression. I suggest Yoga With Adrienne on YouTube
As others have said, it’s okay to go slow with developing a routine and making changes in exercise or diet. You are discovering what works for you, and everyone is different. Right now I’m focusing on making sure I get to the gym 5 days a week. Whether I stay for 5 minutes or an hour, it doesn’t matter. I’m just working on getting in the habit of going. I’m tracking my foods using MFP, but I’m not focusing too heavily on making major changes just yet. Just observing what I’m putting into my body for now, and trying my best to make better food choices based on the trends I’m seeing. And being kind to myself when I mess up.
Lastly, surround yourself with supportive people who will motive and encourage you. This app is a great place for that. Feel free to add me, I’m always looking for new fitness friends:) cheers!1 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »okay so i see your still here, And im home from work. So here goes-Summary at end
I suffered for years stuck in my house. What started as a heart condition- I had an infection in my heart that should have killed me. I got it at 19 and i was unable to even take myself to the bathroom. Seriously. I started out with very few friends and far to proud to ask for help. I spent from the ages of 13-17 homeless (terrible home life i ran away from) and was to proud to even ask anyone then for any help. Never once did i ask anyone for food or a place to stay. I develped into a very internal person. I never really learned to be social or trust anyone.
When i had just begun to get my life under my control, Had a good job i loved and my own little apartment. I didnt have alot but i was happy. Then i got sick. And i felt i had went a HUGE step backwards. I resented the world. I was mad that i worked SO hard just to be told i was going to die. I figured if i was going to die there was no way i was going to do it in a hospital. SO i went home and got worse and worse. At one point i literally was laying in a bed of my own piss because i was to weak to get myself to the bathroom. I spiraled in self hate and i hated the world. Everything seemed unfair.
Went on for about a year and a half of teetering between times im unable to feed self because i couldnt get to a store, And times i couldnt even get to a bathroom or to shower. I was given 6 months and 2 years later i was still alive. Honestly not sure why but i hated that to. I wasnt sleeping and i wasnt leaving my house i hadnt been social in literally years. I had no one and really nothing. I was depressed beyond belief, Rightfully so id say. I was a depressed mess. I am bipolar with Schizophrenic tendencies aswell so pretty much a mess of a human being.
So yes i believe your not alone. I honestly ran out of fight and was living almost stubbornly wishing i wasnt anymore.
I still cant remember making the choice to change, I never even believed i had an option. But something had went right anyway that i didnt die to begin with. I started with tiny things. Few steps. Standing up and sitting down. Slowly over another year i had gotten myself to a place i could move and i could see hope. I decided i wanted beter for myself, If i wasnt going to die peacefully i figured i mise will fight. So i did.
Its been 2 years since then, And now i work an extremely active job, I walk ALOT even though i hate it, Because i learned to take comfort and pride that i CAN. I put all my hate and anxiety and stress over my lack of social skills into math. The math involved in weight loss became a huge comfort for me. Every problem i ever had became less and less because i had a focus. Something to work on. Was immeasurably comforting to be able to control something in my life. Being able to control something in my life so accurately made everything else easier. I forced myself to begin socializing, Although admittedly im still a *kitten* social butterfly, But i can smile and hold my own and even be the life of a party, For a few hours anyway lol. Work in progress.
And im down 110 pounds. Im fit and im healthy and my heart is doing alot beter. I still have a *kitten* little apartment and a *kitten* job, But i love it. I appreciate the small stuff now that iv trained myself to let go of things i cant control and focus on what i can.
Basically, Yes iv been there done that and dealt with alot to. Most of us have. We just decide we deserve beter. We deserve to be happy and fit. Once that switch in our brains go off, Its hard to switch it back. You need to truly realize you deserve it. Because you do. You deserve everything you want in life, You just need to work for it. Take comfort in the small things. Try to let what you cant control get washed away by things you can. When you get knocked off course in life try to remain focused on the course you want for yourself. Aslong as we keep taking the baby steps to care for ourselves, Everything else falls into place. Stay focused and remember your not alone, Even when you think the world is against you. I strongly believe we get dealt a hand in life that tests us to breaking point, But its because we are strong enough to handle it. Your here and your fighting and your strong. And you do deserve it.
*kitten* im cheesy. Sorry for the mini rant. your just not alone, Your never alone, And we got this
Its not easy it takes work and you need to work daily, But it does get easier. Even if you have to fake it till you make it 
JaydedMiss wrote: »okay so i see your still here, And im home from work. So here goes-Summary at end
I suffered for years stuck in my house. What started as a heart condition- I had an infection in my heart that should have killed me. I got it at 19 and i was unable to even take myself to the bathroom. Seriously. I started out with very few friends and far to proud to ask for help. I spent from the ages of 13-17 homeless (terrible home life i ran away from) and was to proud to even ask anyone then for any help. Never once did i ask anyone for food or a place to stay. I develped into a very internal person. I never really learned to be social or trust anyone.
When i had just begun to get my life under my control, Had a good job i loved and my own little apartment. I didnt have alot but i was happy. Then i got sick. And i felt i had went a HUGE step backwards. I resented the world. I was mad that i worked SO hard just to be told i was going to die. I figured if i was going to die there was no way i was going to do it in a hospital. SO i went home and got worse and worse. At one point i literally was laying in a bed of my own piss because i was to weak to get myself to the bathroom. I spiraled in self hate and i hated the world. Everything seemed unfair.
Went on for about a year and a half of teetering between times im unable to feed self because i couldnt get to a store, And times i couldnt even get to a bathroom or to shower. I was given 6 months and 2 years later i was still alive. Honestly not sure why but i hated that to. I wasnt sleeping and i wasnt leaving my house i hadnt been social in literally years. I had no one and really nothing. I was depressed beyond belief, Rightfully so id say. I was a depressed mess. I am bipolar with Schizophrenic tendencies aswell so pretty much a mess of a human being.
So yes i believe your not alone. I honestly ran out of fight and was living almost stubbornly wishing i wasnt anymore.
I still cant remember making the choice to change, I never even believed i had an option. But something had went right anyway that i didnt die to begin with. I started with tiny things. Few steps. Standing up and sitting down. Slowly over another year i had gotten myself to a place i could move and i could see hope. I decided i wanted beter for myself, If i wasnt going to die peacefully i figured i mise will fight. So i did.
Its been 2 years since then, And now i work an extremely active job, I walk ALOT even though i hate it, Because i learned to take comfort and pride that i CAN. I put all my hate and anxiety and stress over my lack of social skills into math. The math involved in weight loss became a huge comfort for me. Every problem i ever had became less and less because i had a focus. Something to work on. Was immeasurably comforting to be able to control something in my life. Being able to control something in my life so accurately made everything else easier. I forced myself to begin socializing, Although admittedly im still a *kitten* social butterfly, But i can smile and hold my own and even be the life of a party, For a few hours anyway lol. Work in progress.
And im down 110 pounds. Im fit and im healthy and my heart is doing alot beter. I still have a *kitten* little apartment and a *kitten* job, But i love it. I appreciate the small stuff now that iv trained myself to let go of things i cant control and focus on what i can.
Basically, Yes iv been there done that and dealt with alot to. Most of us have. We just decide we deserve beter. We deserve to be happy and fit. Once that switch in our brains go off, Its hard to switch it back. You need to truly realize you deserve it. Because you do. You deserve everything you want in life, You just need to work for it. Take comfort in the small things. Try to let what you cant control get washed away by things you can. When you get knocked off course in life try to remain focused on the course you want for yourself. Aslong as we keep taking the baby steps to care for ourselves, Everything else falls into place. Stay focused and remember your not alone, Even when you think the world is against you. I strongly believe we get dealt a hand in life that tests us to breaking point, But its because we are strong enough to handle it. Your here and your fighting and your strong. And you do deserve it.
*kitten* im cheesy. Sorry for the mini rant. your just not alone, Your never alone, And we got this Its not easy it takes work and you need to work daily, But it does get easier. Even if you have to fake it till you make it
Wow very powerful! thank u for sharing ❤️
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I suffer from PTSD. I lost over 100 pounds naturally in my early 20s and kept it off for 5 years. I had a bad flare up with my PTSD (paranoia, depression, anxiety, you name it) and I packed on a ton of weight. Almost back to where I started. It's tough, but we can do this!5
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Recently diagnosed Bipolar II and now weight loss feels like a foreign language almost. Was down 60. Now hovering between 45-50 lost. I want to lose another 20lbs. Things now have to be based around what's best for my mental health (sleeping and resting when in hypomania, abstaining from caffeine) I love working out and I like to use pre-workout. Has anyone been able to remain stable and still use pre-workout/stimulant products at the gym?3
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I suffer from agoraphobia/anxiety and I use weightloss and fitness to keep me occupied and motivated. If something as bad as agoraphobia and anxiety can occur in my life, something as good as weightloss can also occur and be achieved. My mental illness in a way kick started taking better care of myself.5
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Bipolar with mad anxiety here. When I’m not too down I lift weights. The bad thing is that I know that for me exercise will help to pull me out of my black cloudy pit. But when I’m in my pit, I couldn’t be bothered and I’m too scared of everything else to even attempt to lift weights in public. So it’s like a cycle that gets worse. I’ve just climbed out of my pit after a 6 month long down period. Time to get back into it. But not too hard cause I am terrified of triggering off a manic episode Sending hugs everyone 3
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@missjazminenicole I find stimulants trigger me. But if you find one that works for you without triggering you, can you let me know??? I’d love to give it a go2
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I've just had to go back on my medication to get me out of my black cloud. It's so hard to do anything, housework etc much less feel like exercise when I'm in the black cloud. The medication is starting to take effect now, not fully yet but feeling a bit more energetic. It's good to know that I'm normal when I read everything you all say on this blog and like Karen_can_d, I also send hugs to you all.
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Bipolar I with psychotic features, PTSD, ADHD, anxiety.
On a handful of psych meds and an appetite suppressant to control all that. Just started therapy again to overcome trauma as a child that led to the PTSD and possibly triggered the bipolar disorder, and definitely triggered the weight gain.
Despite all that nonsense running around I lost 50 pounds last year. I'm going to try to lose another 50 this year.5 -
'mixed' personality disorder (lol), ocd, and anxiety here...just muddling along. you aren't alone. if you search the groups, there are some for people with psych issues who are losing weight (I think one is called The Mixed Nuts? haha). they aren't very active, but I figured it would be useful to some people here.1
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missjazminenicole wrote: »Recently diagnosed Bipolar II and now weight loss feels like a foreign language almost. Was down 60. Now hovering between 45-50 lost. I want to lose another 20lbs. Things now have to be based around what's best for my mental health (sleeping and resting when in hypomania, abstaining from caffeine) I love working out and I like to use pre-workout. Has anyone been able to remain stable and still use pre-workout/stimulant products at the gym?
I can basically handle a cup of coffee beforehand, but anything else puts me at risk of a panic attack (and all the other wonderful symptoms that come with anxiety). Might be worth discussing with a doc whether you can try the pre-workout at something like 1/4 of the usual dose, and work from there...?2 -
anxiety and depression here. I work in my house, and run outside when I can. Just changed my medications last month again, so hopefully that helps. When I'm eating healthy, getting out in the sun, and exercising, my symptoms are not that bad. This past six months have been horrible for me.2
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cwildblueeyes86 wrote: »Need help and motivation for weight loss but suffer from some mental health issues that keep me from staying motivated does anyone else have this problem? Or is it just me
This is right up my alley today ... as I am in a rotten mood today ... so rotten I don't even want to be around myself but alas, I have to put up with me.
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