[natani_girl]

Hey, all. I'm starting to come back around. I suppose I've been away because focusing on keeping things in order over here seems to keep anything bad from happening, and keeps the people around me happy... Keeping occupied also keeps my mind busy, and in a way, I felt weird about asking advice when I'm not even feeling too bad right now... but I miss my friends, and I would love to keep helping out my pals on here. Maybe I'll make an update post for anyone interested...

Anyway, I DO have a question related to health. And it can kind of relate to mental health too. Something I've been thinking about lately.

So, I've noticed how I have a really small appetite. I've never exactly eaten a lot, and my eating did spike a little during puberty, but for a long time, my appetite has been really small. I eat VERRRRRY slowly to the point where I annoy other people, but it's the only way I can finish all the food on my plate, and sometimes I skip meals all together because I'm just not hungry. Sometimes on weekends I skip both breakfast and lunch and just nibble on some small snacks to hold me over till dinner. I'm also pretty thin, being almost 5'3" and weighing around 105 lbs. People often comment on how tiny I am (sometimes as compliments, being in high school and all.)

I've always had bad gas and constipation for as long as i can remember. I've taken gas tablets before, but they tasted bad and I kind of just stopped, and the constipation is on and off. I often have lower body pain right before and after a bowel movement, particularly after.

However, I've had some depression for the past 1 1/2 years. It started about November 2010, got progressively worse, and spiked last December. Lately, I've been feeling a lot better from that, particularly since April but still have a lot of lingering despair and fear from that time. I DID notice a drop in appetite during December, but not a big one. I think my T noticed it, too. And that was more emotion-involved.

So, do you think my appetite is caused by my funky digestive system, my depression, or just how my body naturally eats? Do you think its any combination of the three? Should I do anything about it?

[Travelinglady]

It's hard to say. Of course, depression definitely can cause "poor appetite." I don't know about digestive problems and appetite.

If you can, I would suggest that you get a physical check-up, including blood work, etc. I'm not thinking there's anything really bad wrong, but we all need those each year. Are you taking vitamins to make sure you're getting what your body needs? That would be another question a doctor could address.

Glad to hear you're doing well otherwise!

[kirbydog156]

I would make sure that when you do eat, that the food is as nutrient-dense as possible. The gas could be a result of food sensitivities; the most common are gluten (found in wheat, barley, oats, rye) and dairy. I have found that these foods affect my internal state of well-being. Dairy can also contribute to excessive gas and bloating. It might be better for you to eat smaller mini-meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar stable. Also stuff you can carry with you and keep in your bag; baby carrots, apple, nuts, dried fruit, etc. I've found in my body/life that everything kind of effects everything. Practicing really great self-care helps to keep the depression in check. Glad you're feeling better!