Depression and Weightloss

[JAM2b]

Hi,

I have struggled with depression for as long as I can remember, and for years before I was diagnosed. I have also sturggled with weight and binge eating. I have stopped the binge eating, but am still overweight. I was reading about weightloss in general and came accross an article that speaks on weightloss for people who are depressed. It said that if you lose more than half a pound a week, then it effects your metabolism, which inturn effects your brain chemistry, and can make your depression worse.

Half a pound a week seem so small and discouraging. But I don't want to worsen my mental state. Has anyone else heard about this or attemtped to lose weight with depression?

 

[MadamImAdaminChrist]

I always felt better with depression when I was losing weight, as I was usually exercising more and eating better.
I would not be so concerned about making sure to lose less than a half-pound a week. I would be more concerned with making permanent lifestyle changes that facilitated weight loss.

Binge eating---I have struggled with that as well. I am still overweight. I am starting Celebrate Recovery soon.

 

[miss-a]

Slow weight loss is important for health and for permanant weight loss. I don't think it matter is it's half a pound a week or a pound or two, but the point is that a drastic cutback in calories can send messages to the body that can create problems. Work with your doc or counselor on this, and get recommendations. And yes, if you could get into something like Celebrate Recovery, Over Eater Anonymous, even maybe weight watchers, or something like that, it would certainly help, give you information, and provide support. And getting some exercise helps alleviate depression on many levels. So maybe some walking.

Prayers for you friend,
a

 

[JAM2b]

Thank you for your responses.

 

[Lee Fey]

I've actually been thinking a lot lately about weight loss. I have been diagnosed with dysthymia, a low-level depressive disorder, but I have gone through some major depressive episodes exacerbated by the patterns of behaviour I've picked up during my lifetime to deal with my depression. Anyway, a little over a year ago, my wife and I had a baby. Truth be told, I love my child, but the pregnancy and the birth were extremely hard events for me to deal with. When my wife gained thirty pounds during pregnancy, so did I. When she lost it all again after the baby was born, I put on twenty more.

I know exercise and proper diet can have resounding impacts on my hormone levels and help me to feel better about things. But I haven't been able to find any kind of support, anyone who will befriend me and help me to get to healthier places in faith. So, I was wondering, is there anybody out there?