[Winter Moon]

Does anyone else have trouble eating when they're depressed?

I could fit everything I've eaten in the last week or so into a soda bottle. Perhaps two. My pands don't fit right anymore, they're too loose when they weren't before.

And I was starting to get really panicy, so my french teacher gave me a note to just walk around the school to calm down. So I walked, then ran a little, for like 10 minutes. And afterwards I was dizzy and had trouble walking in a straight line.

I just don't know how to make myself eat. Nothing ever sounds good. When I feel full now, I have the urge to throw it all up because it's uncomfortable. And whenever I feel hungry for something, it only takes a few seconds for it to sound unappetizing. Really, I feel more comfortable when I'm empty anyway. XD

Hello, Linn. Do your parents know you are not eating? Is this an eating disorder more than the depression? Do you want help?

I hope you get the help you need.

[justfloating]

I don't eat when I'm depressed either. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who worries about this! Yesterday I realized that none of my clothes fit and I walk around shaking and dizzy all the time but the thought of eating anything exhausts me or seems unappetizing. I think you just have to force yourself to do it, honestly. Don't eat huge amounts, let your body gradually get back up to normal food intake. My stomach rebels if I've gone without eating then eat a big meal and sometimes it does make me throw up, it's not good. Anything I do eat when I'm depressed requires little to no effort -- fruit, dry cereal, granola bars, anything I don't have to cook or prepare, which is the worst part for me. Do you think you're not eating because of the effort involved in preparing a meal? Maybe you could keep a stock of simple, ready-to-go things like granola bars in your locker at school or your bedroom at home, within easy reach so that you're at least getting SOMETHING into your system.

Have you mentioned your loss of appetite to your doctor, parents or a friend? If you can, tell someone you trust. I have a good friend who knows that my depression stops me from eating and she reminds me gently that I really should eat, and gives me just enough encouragement to actually do it. It's helpful to have someone looking out for me that way because I don't know about you, but others tend to notice I'm depressed before I do. It doesn't usually occur to me that I've stopped eating (despite the hunger pangs I feel constantly -- it just doesn't compute for me) until someone mentions that I'm too thin or asks how my depression is going. Having someone to help you monitor this stuff can be a really useful tool for fighting off the illness.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know you're not alone in this. Take care

[LittleForgetMeNot]

Yeah, I have this too. I eat but only one meal a day and I rarely finish it. I just don't feel hungry. However it leaves me feeling weak and tired. Being lightheaded is a thing so normal to me, and my klutz factor has gone up about 10x. When depression first started coming around on me I was at a good healthy weight.. But then depression hit hard and I dropped twenty pounds in about two months, I was below 100 pounds which was extremey underweight for me and it made me scared. Since then I've gone up about 10 pounds (well my weight fluctuates between 8 and 13 more) so I'm closers to a healthier weight (but still slightly under)..

This probably sounds like I have an eatting disorder.. But I don't..

[jilliebeanmn]

Yes, I lose my appetite when I am severely depressed also. I carry enough extra weight that it doesn't matter in that department, but it really screws with my blood sugars. In a way that helps, because I get dizzy and feel horrible and it forces me to eat a little something to get my blood sugar up.

[madisgram]

i have trouble eating when depressed. what has helped me is to eat ice cream, yogurt, soups or anything easy to swallow. checking with your pdoc about the depression may help too.

[Winter Moon]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

Hello, Linn. Do your parents know you are not eating? Is this an eating disorder more than the depression? Do you want help?

I hope you get the help you need.

My parents don't know. I hide everything from them. XD And I'm pretty sure it's depression, since as far as I know I don't have an eating disorder. Plus, I know from previous expierience that when I'm depressed, I lost my appetite completely.
And... I was forced to talk to my counselor by a friend. And I let the coulselor call my mom (who hasn't done anything yet). So part of me wants help. Most of me resents the whole process. XD

Originally Posted by justfloating

I don't eat when I'm depressed either. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who worries about this! Yesterday I realized that none of my clothes fit and I walk around shaking and dizzy all the time but the thought of eating anything exhausts me or seems unappetizing. I think you just have to force yourself to do it, honestly. Don't eat huge amounts, let your body gradually get back up to normal food intake. My stomach rebels if I've gone without eating then eat a big meal and sometimes it does make me throw up, it's not good. Anything I do eat when I'm depressed requires little to no effort -- fruit, dry cereal, granola bars, anything I don't have to cook or prepare, which is the worst part for me. Do you think you're not eating because of the effort involved in preparing a meal? Maybe you could keep a stock of simple, ready-to-go things like granola bars in your locker at school or your bedroom at home, within easy reach so that you're at least getting SOMETHING into your system.

Have you mentioned your loss of appetite to your doctor, parents or a friend? If you can, tell someone you trust. I have a good friend who knows that my depression stops me from eating and she reminds me gently that I really should eat, and gives me just enough encouragement to actually do it. It's helpful to have someone looking out for me that way because I don't know about you, but others tend to notice I'm depressed before I do. It doesn't usually occur to me that I've stopped eating (despite the hunger pangs I feel constantly -- it just doesn't compute for me) until someone mentions that I'm too thin or asks how my depression is going. Having someone to help you monitor this stuff can be a really useful tool for fighting off the illness.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know you're not alone in this. Take care

I think that the effort involved isn't a problem. I'm in a culinary arts class and really enjoy working with food. I just have no appetite. "Oh, soup sounds really good! I'll go make... Uhh... Ew, never mind." "Oh, maybe a bowl of cheese nips would... Hmm... Bleh. XP"

And I have a friend who knows that I don't eat when I'm depressed. She yells at me. "EAT SOMETHING DAMNIT!" "0.0;" Because she worries. XD But I usually notice it before anyone else. Because I usually eat constantly, and when I stop it's something I notice, then hide.

I am also glad I'm not alone though. It sucks that you have to deal with it, but I'm glad to know it isn't just me. XD

[turquoisesea]

I am another one of us who also loses weight when depressed. I forget to eat sometimes, even. And my clothing doesn't all fit me anymore.

*hugs*

[Miracle1986]

I am like this too.
I can count the number of meals I have eaten the last 2 and a half weeks on one hand. I have absolutely no appetite. And on the rare occasion when I do, I can eat a few bites and get so full that I want to throw up. This not eating makes me feel extremely weak and tired all the time. I often get out of bed and go and get on the sofa and move all day because I don't have the energy to get up.

[Gently1]

I have lost my appetite as well, but as I am still seeing Dr for Weight and Nutrition Management, I been kept on track and eat protein every 3-4 hours even if it is just a taste.
Depression needs energy to heal, as I have been feeling better I have had a few hunger pangs, and it is good to feel again.
I can still heat my meal in the microwave and forget it for an hour but the intent is there and with the Dr. we have come up with some 'depends on the mood day' foods to have handy.
This reminds me, I need to find something for dinner. And I am not hungry.
But I will eat to heal.

G1

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((( Winter Moon )))))))))))))

[shezbut]

Yeah, I too struggle with forcing myself to eat.

I sometimes get hunger pains, but absolutely nothing sounds good or tempting. The thought of food makes me nauseous and the hunger disappears. I yell at myself to eat already, but I just don't want to.

Shez

[Lizabelle]

I never want to eat, but I have a family that cares enough (and a dad that is scary enough when he's worried), that I eat about 2 tablespoons of whatever we're having at that meal if everyone is sitting down together. Other than that, I don't eat. I used to have problems with over eating, and then I started not eating. Sometimes I'm hungry, but then I'm usually not supposed to be eating (inbetween meals) or I'm too tired to get up and go get some.

Keep eating though, Moon! (As you say, "Do as I say, not as I do"!!!!!!!)