Can depression cause wieght gain?

Question

I have been depressed for acouple months and gained 10lbs. I lost my job, can't find another and got turned down by unemployment. Everything in my life seems like its breaking down and all I find i do when I am down and sad is eat and want to sleep. what should I do?? Anyone?

Answer 1

you have some excellent advice in there - i.e.the many answers. that alone should make you feel good. except the chocolate one -- do not eat it.
otherwise -- knowing people care and they gave their time to see your well being is a plus factor -- read and follow each advice -- one a day. and you will feel better. guaranteed. good luck -- you need it now. but take care and you will not need it tomorrow.
get the idea.

Answer 2

Indirectly, depression CAN cause weight gain. A depressed person usually doesn't have a whole lot of energy- except maybe to eat. And of course, the calories aren't going to get burned off.

Have you tried buddying up with a friend or your family? It's pretty clear you need to make your life turn around.

One thing you can try is to make a list of what you like to do. And then think and see if you can make a business of it. Or find employment in that field. I normally would suggest counselling too, but you've got some pretty good reasons to be depressed so the only thing that will fix it is action.

Good luck!

Answer 3

"Depression" as a scientific medical term and feeling depressed are two different things. Feeling depresses yes can lead to weight gain, having all these stressful events in your life can also change your daily habits that may lead to weight gain. unemployment is one most stressful life events and it seems as if it has overwhelmed u. this does not mean u have depression, in strict psychiatric terms. sleep and eat is all we do when we have nothing better to do :) plus sugar and chocolate makes us feel happier instantly. For the time being i dont think u need therapy, besides it is only 2 months as u say and under specific circumstances, perhaps a few counselling sessions would help u get back up to your feet. i sense u feel tired and dissapointed, we all do from time to time, we take some time to gather our strenght and go on again. u also need a support group, friends and family, talk to them till they are sick of u :)

Answer 4

The comfort eating and the lack of exercise will mean you are going to gain weight. The depression does not cause weight gain But I suppose you could say it is a side effect of depression. You will get out the funk sooner or later. Maybe u needs meds from doctor

Answer 5

Yes, depression can cause weight gain. Sometimes people who are depressed eat to feel better. When we eat, we feel good and satisfied, however then you gain weight. Sometimes we eat out of boredom, and sometimes to fill some kind of need inside.
Right now, worry about treating your depression. Go see a therapist and a psychiatrist that can recommend a good anti-depressant. It may seem as if everything in your life is breaking down, however keep in mind that depression tends to disort our reality and makes everything seem hopeless. Get help quick.
Good luck.

Answer 6

I can understand where you are, many of us have been in this position before! What you'll need to do is to get out and about. I started taking walks and getting outside more, it's hard to be depressed being outside, or taking a exercise class. It really does wonders for you. Exercise is a real stress reliever and makes you feel better about yourself and causes us to watch our eating more.
Know that this phase in your life will pass, things will get better, you'll get another job and life will look up. Everyone goes thru these ups and downs. I was in this position when I had a little one on my own, but made it thru it, you can too! It'll be alright.

Answer 7

Depression can have many symptoms and weight gain/or loss is one of them. Sounds like you have alot of stuff going on in your life right now. My suggestion would be to speak to you family doctor and see if they have anything that might help. If you can't go to the doctor, my suggestion would be to: get OUT of the house, start by taking a walk around the block maybe a couple times a day, Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and STAY BUSY, surround yourself with friends and family who will help you through such a tough time(stay clear of people who cause stress, problems, or are not very encouraging, they will only "suck" the life out of you, and that's NO GOOD)
Good Luck and hope you get to feeling better SOON!!
**remember, life is NEVER as bad as it seems**

Answer 8

Absolutely! Go for walks--It's great for the weight issue & really helps with the blues. I wouldn't jump right on the anti-depressant band wagon though. You feeling down right now sounds like a legitimate reaction to being out of work for a couple of months. Try any kind of exercise to help with the weight--gotta friend who would like a work-out partner? Then you can talk to a friend at the same time.
I understand the munching in a crisis--try being sure you have plenty of healthy sancks in frig all the time--vegie sticks, fruit, cheese sticks (low fat!)
And hang in there, try to think positive thoughts & you'll be fine, I have no doubt! :)--e-mail me if you need someone to listen & maybe spread a smile to both of us.:D

Answer 9

yes it can cause weight gain because of the stress hormones in ur body called corital(sp).It hangs around ur stomach and hip area.You need to figure out why your depressed it could be anything from your job u just left to the weather change.Write down how u feel everyday for a week and see from that what might be the main issue and then find ways to fix it.Keep your head up and continue to look for a job too.

Answer 10

It sure can. Go talk to a therpist if youre feeling overwhelmed. Try getting out every day and going for a walk around your neighborhood. I little bit of exercise might help some of the weight come off and it will release endorphines which help us feel good. It will also give you something to look forward to if you work it into some sort of a schedule.