Bipolar and overeating

[Lik3]

Can a person who is bipolar eat mindlessly? Is there a link between bipolar and overeating?

 

[Talihood]

I eat less when i'm manic, and more when depressed.

 

[CraftyTurtle]

There is a link between bipolar and ANY compulsive behaviour, comfort behaviour, etc.

 

[quietpraiyze]

One of the main things I DON'T do when I'm in a manic episode is eat. Not eating is right on the heels of me not sleeping.

For me it's been the meds I'm on that have contributed to my weight gain. It wasn't a big deal because I was always active. It became a problem once Peri-menopause hit. Now it's soooo hard to lose weight. I'm doing it but it's taking longer. God is with me and encouraging me though...

 

[Barzel]

Can a person who is bipolar eat mindlessly? Is there a link between bipolar and overeating?

I think that particular "talent" (overeating) is something everyone is capable of, and I have not heard of a direct correlation between overeating and bipolar disorder. When I find myself "binge-eating" a bag of potato chips or somesuch, I will sometimes step back and ask myself why I'm doing that.

There are a number of reasons a person may overeat. Boredom tops that list, I would say, followed closely by depression. Usually, the desire to eat copious amounts of food comes from a compulsion to seek comfort. We eat when we're sad, we eat to celebrate, we eat when we're hungry, we eat when we're bored.

I look at this kind of gluttony the same way I look at lust. It comes down to an acronym for me: HALT. Am I...

Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?

If I am hungry, I should fix a meal, rather than eating something out of a bag or box. Nutrition is extremely important for someone with bipolar disorder, as well as other people. What we eat can influence our brain chemistry.

If I am angry, I--personally--am less likely to eat, but I may be using eating as an excuse to escape a situation that makes me angry. Instead, I try to face the source of my anger head on, with calm logic, assessing the situation and considering whether my attitude is making the problem worse.

If I am lonely, I may want to eat comfort food. I find myself doing this sometimes. It's a way to pass the time, and it makes sense that mindlessly digging into popcorn, potato chips, or some other kind of "easy" food fits our lack of effort we're feeling at the time. It's essentially a pity party, but we should be mindful. Instead of eating, I might go out for a walk, take a sleeping pill and go to bed, or call someone to talk, making sure they're okay with me venting a bit.

If I am tired, I may eat, similarly to boredom. I may just need a nap. Essentially, I'm looking for comfort, but I'm not paying attention to my body's needs. If I feel hungry late at night, I have conditioned myself to consider whether or not I just want to go to bed. If I need to, I might eat a healthy snack (like an orange) before bed, but I avoid caffeinated beverages or foods that will keep me awake (like almonds). I also try to be aware of eating foods late at night that will affect my dreams. I really can't eat chocolate at any time, but if I eat it within a few hours of sleeping, it's pretty much a guaranteed recipe for nightmares.

 

[redblue22]

sometimes I get to where I'm excited to be cooking. I don't eat so much, but it is there to eat. So I eat. I avoid snacks mainly because they are just sugar and carbs that in turn make me even more hungry.

 

[Loven God]

I do eat a lot when depressed , and my meds do caues weight gain at time when it comes to weight gain I feel defeated .

 

[puppii]

It goes in stages for me. If I'm obsessed with a food (toast being a present example) and it's fattening I gain weight. Now I'm also on this kool-aid thing so I am as big as I've ever been....I'm just waiting to get bored of it and move to something else

 

[KnowHisJoy77]

I know a couple bipolar people and they have regular weight. .well..I guess some meds make you gain weight as side effects. And people have tendency to put extra lbs by doing nothing much, others overeat and lack exercising. I know depressed who people thin and others overweight. .and sometimes the thinner ones overeats and dont gain weight! Meanwhile the overweight ones dont each extra and cant loose weight.

Oh well..as we age our metabolism slows dow and we just gain weight as we age by eating the same old same old stuff..thats my case.

 

[sue2904]

I am finding that I have cravings at a time in my cycle. I have bipolar 2 with anxiety and rapid cycle. I never noticed before but l do go through times when it is inconvenient to eat too. My love of food has always been a problem. Maybe self medicating?