[bphungry]

Hello. I was diagnosed with bipolar at 37, though my symptoms presented earlier: mainly depression or some sort of agitated depression. I also had the symptom of hunger. It was very odd. In short, when I GOT ON meds, my appetite returned to normal. Anytime something would go wrong (i.e. I traveled from the east coast to Amsterdam and the time change really threw me off, so much so that I had to go up on my lithium by 300mg. During the short time I was experiencing "normal symptoms," I was also hungry. I could not feel satiation. Once I went up on the lithium I was fine. Now I am at a crossroads. It looks like I cannot go up on any psych meds. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has hunger (extreme hunger) as a symptom of bipolar?
Thank you.

[WishfulThinker66]

I don't think it is a symptom of bipolar at all. I blame my own poor relationship with food on my medications a 100%.

I eat nutritious food but I eat a great deal of it. I eat out of boredom and I am constantly hungry.

[Victoria'smom]

When manic I cook and eat everything. I've gone through a months worth of groceries in a week easily. Stable/depressed I have an eating disorder so it's a fun tug of war.

Throughout my life I have experienced periods of stress eating, eating as some conscious or unconscious means of increasing my energy, eating because I had a huge desire to add to my hypomanic/manic pleasure (though sometimes the opposite happens), means of giving me pleasure during periods of depression when I experience too little, and probably other self-medication. However, when I am doing quite well mood-wise, and have determination and energy, I eat a lot less and tend to focus more on healthier eating. Having good energy and motivation encourages my passion for cooking and dancing (exercise). I know how to cook and eat well, but it certainly is difficult when my moods are quite off. When well, I have the motivation to plan meals, buy the right ingredients, and create and put them on the table. If I thought cheeseburgers, fried chicken, pepperoni pizza, donuts, and macaroni and cheese were "normal" foods to eat regularly, I'd have a problem.

Of course some medications have been weight unfriendly for me, but I feel my mood issues have been my greatest foe, in terms of healthy eating/weight. I was doing quite well a couple months back and lost 7 lbs in a month dieting. I was on 500 mg of Seroquel XR and my other meds then. I'll admit that when on 600 mg, dieting is much harder. Stress developed, and I gained back four pounds. It's eased, and I've lost what I regained. I've been doing better these last few days and am again back on plan. I know that if I can stay stable with good energy, that I can lose more weight on my mix (still including 500 mg of Seroquel XR). I must do it by watching my eating and getting exercise. I can't expect for it to just melt away with zero effort. I'm not 16 years old anymore. Most people my age must diet to lose weight, including people who barely even take a vitamin, let alone psych meds.

bphungry, I'm glad you brought up this topic. Way too often psych medications are blamed 100% for weight gain. That's dangerous, in my view. Bipolar illness must receive a lot of the blame, as well. Of course if side effects add to hunger, they must be addressed. I try to look at the big picture. If I quit my medications, I'd likely start drinking heavily again (to self medicate) and my moods would get way out of control. The combination of the right stabilizing medications, with the best side effect profile, and effective use of coping skills, makes a real difference for me. Plus effort.

[Wild Coyote]

Sometimes, when people are depressed, they crave carbs.

I have gained a lot of weight from meds, not from having a bipolar illness. I take psych meds AND daily prednisone. Either/both can cause immense weight gain.

I hope you find the answers you may be seeking.

[~Christina]

Certain meds for me were awful, I gained so much weight. Most all of my cravings were carbs and sugars , the absolute worse combination. I even bought the tubs of frosting and froze them and would eat away. Ugh! I never felt full.

That was Zyprexa. I don’t care how bad I ever get again I’ll never take it.

Due to being on so many psych meds over the years I developed metabolic syndrome which makes losing weight so much more difficult. Some Doctors will say it can be reversed once weight is lost, some, like my Doctor said it’s likely to plague me for life, even if my anorexia comes back into play.

People who take a medication that is more activating tend to have less weight gain.

I tried Metforum for at least 4 months and yes I lost some but I had constant diarrhea so I had to stop taking it obviously.

I personally think even tho Big Pharma knows many psych meds cause weight gain they just get another customer for Med X to treat all the problems weight gain causes, diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure and all the back and joint problems xtra will weight cause.

Ahhh the joys of having Bipolar !

[Wild Coyote]

I have been thinking on this since having written a post.

I knew a guy who's illness was like right smack in the middle of BPI and BPII.

When he would become "manic," he would lose tons of weight, even though he was eating very large amounts of food constantly. It appears the course of illness had changed his metabolism. When he is depressed, he gains a lot of weight, even without a med which causes weight gain.

Thus, it appears as though his metabolism is affected by his mood.

[Nola0250]

My metabolism is also affected by mood. When hypomanic I can’t keep weight on no matter how much I eat. When depressed I I gain tons of weight with minimal calorie intake.

[Moose72]

Count me in for zyprexa causing metabolic syndrome and severe weight gain. Not to mention Depakote. I was lithe before bp meds. I eat fairly healthfully and lose a minimal amout of weight. I walk a lot but it doesnt help much. And SOMETIMES I lose weight when not trying.

[Dysphoria]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Certain meds for me were awful, I gained so much weight. Most all of my cravings were carbs and sugars , the absolute worse combination. I even bought the tubs of frosting and froze them and would eat away. Ugh! I never felt full.

LOL I have done the frosting thing many times. Unhealthy but damn is it tasty and satiating at times.

That was Zyprexa. I don’t care how bad I ever get again I’ll never take it.

Zyprexa works miracles for me when I am in a severe episode that requires hospitalization. It brings me right down to earth immediately. Problem is you are guaranteed metabolic syndrome and diabetes if you stay on it.

Due to being on so many psych meds over the years I developed metabolic syndrome which makes losing weight so much more difficult. Some Doctors will say it can be reversed once weight is lost, some, like my Doctor said it’s likely to plague me for life, even if my anorexia comes back into play.

I don't have metabolic syndrome thank God. I will get up to about 230 lbs if I don't exercise and just eat what I want. (I am a 6 foot tall male). But as of late I have been exercising and I've lost about 10 lbs in a few weeks. My appetite has suffered (that's a good thing) because of the current episode I am in. When I get "manic" like this, I get really anxious and my appetite disappears. If you've ever been through a lot of stress at once and noticed you aren't hungry, that's the way I feel. It feels a lot like love sickness after a breakup, except 24/7. The feeling and the mood really sucks, but the weight loss is nice.

People who take a medication that is more activating tend to have less weight gain.

Yep. Stimulates tend to do that. It's why meth addicts are always skinny.

I personally think even tho Big Pharma knows many psych meds cause weight gain they just get another customer for Med X to treat all the problems weight gain causes, diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure and all the back and joint problems xtra will weight cause.

I've always wondered what it is about AP's that cause weight gain. Why can't they determine why this happens and eliminate that "feature" from future drugs?

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Dysphoria

LOL I have done the frosting thing many times. Unhealthy but damn is it tasty and satiating at times.


Zyprexa works miracles for me when I am in a severe episode that requires hospitalization. It brings me right down to earth immediately. Problem is you are guaranteed metabolic syndrome and diabetes if you stay on it.


I don't have metabolic syndrome thank God. I will get up to about 230 lbs if I don't exercise and just eat what I want. (I am a 6 foot tall male). But as of late I have been exercising and I've lost about 10 lbs in a few weeks. My appetite has suffered (that's a good thing) because of the current episode I am in. When I get "manic" like this, I get really anxious and my appetite disappears. If you've ever been through a lot of stress at once and noticed you aren't hungry, that's the way I feel. It feels a lot like love sickness after a breakup, except 24/7. The feeling and the mood really sucks, but the weight loss is nice.


Yep. Stimulates tend to do that. It's why meth addicts are always skinny.


I've always wondered what it is about AP's that cause weight gain. Why can't they determine why this happens and eliminate that "feature" from future drugs?

Hopkins Scientists Uncover Cause Of Antipsychotic Drug Weight Gain - 02/12/2007

[BipolaRNurse]

I was obese before I even heard of bipolar meds, but they've made it even more difficult to remain at a stable weight. Just a modest increase in Zyprexa last summer made me gain back most of the 100 lbs. I'd lost after my husband died in 2016. I hate it but what can I do? I can't stop taking the meds, and my diet is terrible, although I could modify that and eat better. Exercise is out because the only thing I can do with my arthritis is walk, but I live on a steep hill and my knees can't take it, and I don't have the regular use of a car so I can't go somewhere to walk. I do some housework and call it good, sweeping and mopping this huge living and kitchen area is a bit of a workout. LOL