[LittleBird]

I can't stop eating! Is it because I'm depressed? Bored? Why? Is it Bi Polar related? Do you guys have times like this as well or is it just me? I am gaining weight and getting very concerned.

[racee]

are you on meds? i mean if your depressed some people will eat some people don't but depending on the meds ( most meds make you gain weight)

[venusss]

I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am sad. I eat when I am bored. I eat when I'm celebrating... when I don't eat, I at least talk about food.

But seriously now... some meds can cause increased appetite and/or gaining weight. And "bored eater" is a common phenomena, not restricter to bipolar. If your appetite is not abnormal and you don't feel hungry, but just have cravings... sorry to tell you, but self-discipline is probably the only solution. You may also try to balance your diet so your body is not missing anything. Be careful with low-carb diets and other fads, these can mess up with your metabolism.

[sugahorse1]

As has already been mentioned, some meds cause an increase in appetite, some meds cause weight gain regardless, and some people eat when they are depressed - comfort food.
Only you can tell if you are depressed.
Otherwise have some blood tests done, as it could also have something to do with your thyroid

[LittleBird]

I started a new med recently. I'll talk to my pdoc and ask what he thinks. Thanks all!

[sugahorse1]

What med have you just started? Maybe some of us have experience with it...?

[Moose72]

I gained a lot on depakote.

[Seaswept]

I eat when I'm depressed, which is part of having bipolar disorder but also when I'm bored or tired- I think to try and get my energy up- but then I tend to eat too much and that makes me sluggish. It's a vicious cycle.
Sometimes I think I am a glutton or a sloth lol.
What are those other (is it 7?) deadly sins? I'm probably guilty of all of them.
For me its also a way to numb myself out after a stressful day at work.
As far as meds go Lithium was a major weight gainer for me.

[Ryask]

There are some times when i feel as though i am starving to death, i feel like i am eating so much all the time. I just try to remember to stop and listen to my body, your body knows what it needs, and it really does know if your hungry. If your not i would recommended taking a multivitamin as well. Sometimes if your body is missing something it can make you hungry, just trying to get that vitamin it needs. So next time your going to eat think about what your feeling, turn off distractions like t.v or computer and concentrate on what your body is telling you, most important concentrate on when your body says that it is actually not hungry anymore.

[sugahorse1]

Since I've been on Lamictin, my appetite has really dropped. To the extent where I am really battling to keep my weight at a decent level

[Lexaproman]

I eat so much that I eat more to feel better about it! LOL

Meds are related often as are moods. Like was mentioned not exclusive to mood disorders but eating bad is usually related to a bigger issue.

As we discussed elsewhere there is addiction involved at times also.

I found that for me now if I eat disciplined Mon thru Fri and eat crap over the weekend it helps me stay under some kind control. I have even dropped some weight like that.

Bigger problem is I have no energy left to maintain quality exercise.

[LittleBird]

I started Abilify and my doctor said that the med is supposed to be good for my weight. Honestly I started to think I must just have no self control and became even more depressed at being a bad human being. But whatever it is it will not be not permanent (hopefully). I think I've been eating better these past few days. Thank you all for your replys. I appreciate your imput.

[Lexaproman]

No problem. Hey are you going finish that pizza then? LOL