If you’re struggling with depression and have noticed a change in your weight, you aren’t alone.
Depression takes a toll on your mind and your body, and understanding how depression and weight are connected helps you better care for your physical and mental health.
If you have depression and are noticing the number on the scale changing without trying, you probably have a lot of questions. In this post, we’ll explain:
- Why depression can lead to weight loss and weight gain
- What this means for your health
- How to safely manage these changes
Keep in mind that depression affects each person differently. While some people lose weight, others can gain weight. It all depends on how your body responds to mood changes, stress, and more.
Regardless of how depression is impacting your health or your weight, Iremia Psychiatric Care is here for you. We provide the personalized care and treatment you need to become healthy and vibrant– and stay there.
Let’s get started. Can depression make you lose weight or gain weight? The short answer is, sometimes. Let’s unpack how and why this happens and learn more about this critical link.
What is Depression?
Depression goes beyond simply feeling sad or down. Depression is a mental health condition and is also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression.
People with depression have persistent feelings of sadness and often lose interest in things they typically enjoy. Depression symptoms can last for weeks, months, or more. Depression is a mental health condition that has a large impact on how you think, feel, and live.¹
Here are some of the most common symptoms of depression:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies
- Social withdrawal
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Eating more or less than usual
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Low energy
- Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
Genetics, imbalances in brain chemistry, stressful events, individual factors, and more can all cause or trigger depression.² Regardless of cause, depression can impact your health and your weight. We’ll explore why and how in the next section.
What’s the Link Between Depression and Weight Change?
When you’re depressed, you aren’t able to go about “business as usual.” Depression disrupts both your body and mind and affects a wide range of vital functions. For some people, these changes lead to weight change like weight gain or weight loss.
Changes in weight can occur in people with depression, but not everyone is affected in the same way. So just how common is it?
A recent study shows that 12.4% of people with depression will lose more than 5% of their body weight. This same study shows that 19.8% of people with depression will gain at least 5% of their body weight. Women experience these changes in weight more than men.³
Now that we know the numbers behind this link, let’s move on to why this happens.
5 Reasons Why Depression Causes Weight Loss or Weight Gain
How can depression make you gain or lose weight? Let’s explore five key ways that depression can contribute to changes in weight. Some of these reasons may surprise you!
1. Loss or Increase of Appetite
One of depression’s most common symptoms is a change in eating patterns. Some people have a loss of appetite which causes a loss of interest in eating or feelings or not being hungry at all. Foods you once enjoyed may no longer sound appealing. Over time, eating less due to a lack of appetite can lead to weight loss, weight changes, or health problems.
On the other hand, some people with depression have increased appetite. Depression can trigger emotional eating or cravings for comfort foods, especially foods high in sugar, fat, and carbohydrates. If these eating patterns continue, it can lead to increased calorie intake and weight gain.
2. Mood and Behavior Changes
Depression drains your energy and motivation, making everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking, and even eating seem impossible. You may experience extreme tiredness, which can make it hard to get out of bed or focus on eating. You may skip meals or forget to eat because your motivation is lower or you feel overwhelmed.
The mood and behavior changes that depression causes can cause some people to eat more frequently as a way to comfort themselves. This contributes to gradual weight gain over time.
3. Metabolic Changes
Depression can also affect your metabolism, which alters your ability to turn food into energy. Your brain regulates metabolism, and disruptions caused by depression can change your metabolic rate.⁴ Some people may experience an increased metabolic rate, leading to weight loss. This is especially true when combined with a loss of appetite.
Remember that every individual with depression is different, and some people experience the opposite–a slower metabolism that leads to weight gain, even if eating habits don’t change significantly. While research has shown a connection between metabolism and depression, a closer look is needed to understand this link and why people are affected in different ways.
4. Hormone Imbalances
Changes in hormone levels occur with depression. Research shows that the hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin often become unbalanced in depression.⁴ When this happens, you may feel less hungry or burn more energy. This can make it challenging to maintain a healthy weight and can cause weight loss.
Similar to the metabolic changes described above, more research is needed to fully learn how depression and hunger hormones impact one another. Hormone fluctuations can have a wide range of effects, and some people with depression note increased hunger and weight gain.
5. Psychiatric Medications
Several antidepressant medications are associated with changes in weight. For some people, certain antidepressants cause changes in appetite and metabolism that may cause weight gain or weight loss. The most common antidepressants linked to weight loss are:⁵–⁷
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
The most common antidepressants linked to weight gain are:⁸
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Trimipramine (surmontil)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
Not everyone responds to psychiatric medications in the same way. Weight loss and other side effects can vary significantly from person to person. If weight loss or gain related to medication is concerning to you, be sure to speak with your psychiatric provider as there are many options available.
Can Weight Loss Cause Depression?
We’ve noted that depression can lead to weight loss, but sometimes the reverse is true. Unintentional weight loss can trigger or worsen depression.
Losing weight too quickly, or losing weight to the extent of becoming underweight, can lead to:
- Low energy levels
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Increased anxiety about appearance
- Increased anxiety about health concerns
Evaluation by an expert mental health clinician is the best way to stay physically and mentally healthy while navigating depression-related weight changes. The link between depression and weight loss is complex, and the experts at Iremia Psychiatric Care are here to ensure you receive the care and treatment you need.
Unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss can be a sign of another severe medical or mental health condition like an eating disorder. If you notice weight loss in addition to symptoms of depression, it’s best to check in with a mental health clinician.
Treating Depression and Weight Change
Treatment options are available, and depression-related weight changes can be managed! Let’s move on to what you can do to prioritize your nutrition and mental health. Here are a few simple and effective tips that you can use today.
1. Choose Nutrient-Dense Foods
If your appetite is low, eat small but nutrient-packed meals and snacks. One of the best ways to get your mind and body feeling better is to fuel them with the vitamins and nutrients needed to thrive. Here are a few great ideas:
- Smoothies
- Protein shakes
- Other protein-rich foods
- Nuts and seeds
- Berries
- Avocados (yes, guacamole counts!)
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
If you find yourself overeating or craving high-calorie comfort foods, choosing nutrient-dense options can help you feel satisfied while supporting health weight management.
2. Create a Meal Routine
Try your hardest to eat at regular intervals, even when you don’t feel hungry. Setting a timer on your phone as a reminder to eat can help prevent unintended weight loss, especially if you’re busy or stressed.
Similarly, if emotional eating is an issue, creating a consistent meal schedule can help regulate appetite and prevent overeating out of boredom, sadness, or stress.
If you feel up to it, schedule a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or takeout date with a close friend or family member. Pick a restaurant, order a favorite dish, and spend some quality time with a loved one. It’s a simple way to nourish your body and your relationships.
3. Manage Sleep and Stress
Sleep quality and stress levels can have a powerful effect on your depression and weight. Both stress and poor sleep can worsen or trigger your depression. Gentle exercise, mindfulness and meditation work, and proper sleep hygiene are all effective ways to manage stress.
Because high stress can increase cravings for unhealthy foods and disrupt metabolism, managing stress is crucial whether you’re struggling with weight loss or weight gain.
4. Stay Hydrated by Drinking Water
Drinking enough water is essential for your body to function at its best! Hydration supports important metabolic and hormonal processes. It helps your body work efficiently, and your mind think clearly. Aim for at least eight glasses of water each day. Make a checklist, or set a reminder on your phone to stay on track.
Proper hydration can also help regulate hunger cues, reduce cravings for sugary foods, and support balanced energy levels.
5. Seek Professional Help
A skilled and compassionate mental healthcare provider can treat the mental and physical symptoms of depression and both depression-related weight gain and weight loss. You can expect a detailed history and exam plus a personalized approach. Remember, no two patients with depression are the same.
You and your healthcare provider can discuss therapy, depression medication options, and simple and practical lifestyle changes that can powerfully impact your well-being.
Is Your Depression Making You Lose or Gain Weight?
If you’re struggling with symptoms of depression and unexplained weight loss or weight gain, your physical and mental health are taking an impact, and it’s time to see a mental healthcare provider.
The link between depression and weight change is complex and different from person to person. Some people with depression lose weight, some gain weight, and others notice no change at all.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, weight gain, or weight loss, please reach out for professional support. Grecia at Iremia Psychiatric Care is here to help. Understanding how depression can make you lose weight is a positive and meaningful step toward improved health and wellness.
Let’s work together to help you feel your best! Schedule an appointment with us today to get started.
FAQ: Depression, Weight Loss, and Weight Gain
Can weight loss be caused by depression?
Yes, depression can cause weight loss. Depression impacts your body in many ways, including changes in appetite, metabolism, hormones, behavior, and energy levels. If you’re concerned your depression is causing you to lose weight, be sure to speak to a healthcare provider.
Can anxiety cause weight loss?
Yes, anxiety can cause weight loss for reasons similar to how depression does. Like depression, anxiety also has a powerful impact on your physical and mental health, appetite, metabolism, behavior, and energy. Many people with anxiety also have depression, leading to increased symptoms and increased severity.
Can depression make you hold onto weight?
Yes. While some people with depression may lose weight, others may gain weight. How depression affects your body varies, with no two cases or people being the same. Reasons for weight gain with depression include emotional eating, metabolism and hormonal imbalances, and medication side effects.
References:
1. Depression – (nih.gov)
2. Biological, Psychological, and Social Determinants of Depression: A Review of Recent Literature – (nih.gov)
3. The Association of Depressive Symptoms and Body Weight Change in Midlife – (nih.gov)
4. Depression and Metabolism – (nih.gov)
5. Fluoxetine – (nih.gov)
6. Bupropion – (nih.gov)
7. Venlafaxine – (nih.gov)
8. Antidepressant Medications and Weight Change: A Narrative Review – (wiley.com)