A question about clinical depression...?!
Question: Yesterday I went to the doctor because I had a really bad stomachache and had to take the day off. However, I finally confessed to her that I felt clinically depressed. She said that she wasn't surprised, she'd diagnosed me with it almost two years ago (but we haven't talked about it since then). Now she wants me to see a psychologist, and I'm going to call in.
However, I have one question. I know that one symptom, or side effect, of clinical depression is weight gain or weight loss. In my case, it's the former... I gained a little more than twenty pounds in two years. I am aware of the fact that you can recover from clinical depression, but once you recover, do you lose all the weight you gained along the way?
Answers: Yesterday I went to the doctor because I had a really bad stomachache and had to take the day off. However, I finally confessed to her that I felt clinically depressed. She said that she wasn't surprised, she'd diagnosed me with it almost two years ago (but we haven't talked about it since then). Now she wants me to see a psychologist, and I'm going to call in.
However, I have one question. I know that one symptom, or side effect, of clinical depression is weight gain or weight loss. In my case, it's the former... I gained a little more than twenty pounds in two years. I am aware of the fact that you can recover from clinical depression, but once you recover, do you lose all the weight you gained along the way?
The weight won't come off just because you're recovered from your depression. You will have to work it off, but when you're feeling better it will be easier to do the work required to lose the weight.
That depends on how you treat it. If you go on medication, you may gain more, or you may loose it all. Everyone reacts differently to treatment.
Good luck to you, and I hope you feel better soon!
I think every person is different. I have it too, and I lost weight on one med, gained it with others. I still take meds for it, and now that I feel great I have learned to just accept the little bit (20lbs) of extra weight in exchange for my sanity!. The better questions is if your doc diagnosed you two years ago, whty hasn't she done anything about it until now?? She can't make you take meds, but she could talk to you about your options and seeing a therapist WAY before now. You definitley should talk to someone;
I am glad to hear that you are going to get yourself some help and guidance for your clinical depression. Many times unknown aches and pains such as headaches and stomachaches can be symptoms of depression.
Every person will react differently with regard to weight gain or loss during a period of depression. This is another way that you body is trying to deal with the emotional and chemical imbalance that is going on in your body.
Do not concentrate on your weight now, get the help and support that you need; and you can concentrate on dealing with your weight when you are more stable and secure feeling.
Many people who have either gained or lost weight while depressed will actually begin to find their weight stabilizing back to a more comfortable range once they have started working on the emotions and feelings as well as chemical imbalances that are causing the depression
Give yourself some time, you will see changes for the positive, with a qualified clinician within a very short time.
My family and I send our best wishes for your continuing improvement of health and wish you a Merry Christmas.
No, you won't automatically lose weight because you're feeling better. The weight still has to come off the old-fashioned way.
Try taking brisk walks. They're great for helping with weight loss and I've found them to be very helpful in boosting my mood, too.
Wow, you are asking a couple questions. First, you lose weight by eating less and moving more. No matter what your condition, sorry. The depression I have dealt with more than half my life. Primary care doctors usually don't take the time to really help you with it. Go online and educate yourself on all the symptoms and prescription options you have available. Everyone reacts differently to each medication. Don't get discouraged if the first one doesn't have you bouncing out of bed in the morning. Second, a psychiatrist will take your mental and physical health history and give you a prescription or two. This is a GUESS. Educate yourself. You could have two conditions or something entirely different. Did your primary doctor do a full blood work up to rule out any other health issues first? Get more sleep, eat less sugar and fried food, exercise some- I know, yuck. Make yourself. Be ready to discuss your feelings, moods, symptoms, anything relevant with the doctor. It really helps to get you on track and feeling better. It is a life-long committment. You don't just fix it today and never think about it again, good luck.
I certainly hope so, now I am recovering I have 20yrs of weight gain to lose! The thing I am finding most difficult is ditching the emotional eating habit and substituting something else instead.
As far as I know, unless its caused by medication the weight gain often seen in Depression is usually caused by comfort eating, lack of exercise due to low mood, not motivation etc or a combination of both. I think that maybe your metabolism slows down a little too when you are depressed, if that's true then that could also add to it. Unfortunately the only way to get rid of the weight in that case will be to do it via exercise and healthy eating. On the plus side, if it is caused by a low metabolism due to depression, then as you depression is treated your metabolism should also increase making it easier to lose the weight though you will likely still have to work at it.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. You are already seeking help, as you start to get better you will probably find you have more energy and without even thinking about it you will find that you are doing more which will help with weight loss. If you are concerned, mention it to your Dr, they might have some good advice. If you get put on medication that causes you to gain more remember that you can ask to have it changed. Try it though, even if weight gain is listed as a possible side effect because it might not be one that affects you. Best of luck. xxx
Both weight loss and weight gain can be symptoms of a clinical depression. You can recover from clinical depression. Once you feel better, you will have the energy and motivation to start eating healthier and exercising more. That will help you lose the weight.
probably not. i'm clinically depressed and i did gain weight. i think it's a comfort food thing. or more likely, it's a medication thing. it is for me.
i think it might be fat, like normal body fat that you would gain. i think that you have to lose it like normal.
:(