Stress Depression & Weight Loss

[sanna]

Hey Everyone, Just wondering if anyone knows how stress and depression effect weighloss/weightgain. Seriously does it really effect it?

I went to my doctors yesterday and his decision was to take me off Phen after a month because he felt it didn't work I am really upset about This. I felt that finally if something could help it would be this. I have to agree it didn't work even though I did everything and tried REALY hard to lose.

He said I was mildly depressed and gave me antidepressant.Ummm no crap I am depressed, wouldn't anyone be. I have gain 60 pounds.... Can't lose it and continue to gain. Finally in September I decide to take controll go to the doctors, it took my primary doctor 5months to send me to a specialise because I kept gaining under her care.

So now finally my hopes are up but, how is it that now I am completly Frustrated being treat for depression?
Sorry just needed to vent!
Oh and he kept asking me how I felt about Gastrial surgrey... Is this normal?

Sanna

[Kodiak]

I'm sorry the Phen didn't work for you.
How long did you try it?
I have a friend that had that surgery and she said it was really rough. I wouldn't suggest doing anything without a second opinion. I once had some idiot doctor tell me my daughter needed her tonsils out after only 1 case of strep throat and w/ no other medical reason. I sometimes wonder about Doc's they are human and don't know everything.
Good Luck and Don't give up!!!

[luvmyboxerpup]

Well, I am sorry you are going through this. And I'm not sure I can tell you anything that can help you, I can only tell you about me and my experience.
YES, stress can effect (affect?) weight loss, with me-I eat when I am stressed or depressed. That is really something I am trying to work on, and this forum has really helped me with that. I am trying to learn how to really deal with things instead of just grabbing a "comfort food".
Maybe your doctor feels like the anti-depressant will correct the chemical imbalances and that in itself will help you with your weight loss. I also have read on here that there is a Phen-Pro combo that works well. (Phen and Prozac) You might want to discuss that with your dr.
Stay here on this forum, (lots of people on here aren't on phen, they come here for general weight loss support and ideas,) eat healthy (limit carbs lots of veggies Protein & fruit), drink LOTS of water, exercise regularly and you WILL see results! It may take a while for anything to show up on the scale, everybody loses at different rates, so don't get discouraged!
Hope this helps some!!! Hang in There!!!


Deana

[sanna]

Thanks Everyone, I will hang in there. Sometimes it is just so hard....All I can do is keep trying something has to give maybe this is the answer. Sanna

[coopkid]

Hi. One of the reasons why stress can affect body weight and lean tissue/body fat ratios is because chronic stress can affect certain hormones that regulate energy metabolism. Your doctor may have already explained this to you....this is also one of the reasons why antidepressants help some folks lose weight--(less internal stress=closer to normal hormone regulation).
But I dont know that stress would cause the degree of weight gain you are experiencing...unless it was over a very long period of time. I suffer chronic anxiety myself, so I know how it feels to be stressed out constantly, but if you are THAT stressed out, I feel for ya g.f.!!
There are other possibilities. You mentioned that you saw a primary physician for awhile, and now see a specialist. What kind of specialist...bariatric? I am assuming (hoping) that at least one of these docs has given you a glucose tolerance test and been looking for indications of type II diabetes. You didnt mention your age, but this is a late-onset type of diabetes (around age 40), though it can happen in younger people. We are even beginning to see it in adolescence now, thanks to the Western diet. (I am in no way suggesting that you have this, just hoping that you have been tested for it.) Also, how about thyroid workups? PCOS? Have you been examined for these underlying medical problems and other metabolic disorders? Have you been provided with nutrition counseling? If a metabolic disorder has NOT been ruled out by your doc, and you have been seriously trying to lose,but gaining instead, then I would strongly suggest changing physicians, maybe seeing an endocrinologist..especially if you have noticed any other symptoms. Sorry didnt mean to write a book... Just my two pennies..........

[coopkid]

Oh, and by the way....Gastric bypass surgery should NEVER be an option except as a LAST RESORT, and then only if you are morbidly obese and meet certain other criteria that put you in the high-risk category for heart disease, stroke, etc. (These criteria include age, family history, other medical conditions, smoking, lipid profile, blood pressure,etc.)...A good doctor will take ALL of these factors into consideration and try all other avenues first........

[MiSsJoLi]

well I am glad you are here first off! I do believe that depression can have a lot to do with weight gain and even weight loss. I gained 100 lbs in 5 years...5 years!!!! I mean, in highschool I was very active, and ate pretty healthy, and I did start eating Mcdonalds and having pizza and beer in college (hmmmm....bet thats what did it!) BUT...100 lbs is so drastic! I firmly belive that depression played a part in it. I have been tested for diabetes, thyroid problems, etc, and nothing...guess I just sat around and ate too much! Anyway, once I started gaining, I became depressed, then gained more (and ate more) and then became depressed because of the weight gain! ANyway, I was/ (am ) a big ol mess! Anyway...I just babled on and probably havent made a lick of sense, but I wish you luck, and it CAN be done without phen! I promise!!!!

[Kodiak]

I just wanted to say, sometimes you people are so darn smart I know people haven't been getting along to well this week , but I just wanted to say --- Are differences are what make this forum work... I didn't really give the best response to the question on this topic, I went back and read what other people had to add and OMG.... I actually learned something(and it didn't even hurt)
You guys are too awesome

[babyjane]

Hi Sanna I am so sorry to hear that you doctor took you off! Depression can be a vicious cycle of anger depression and eating at least for me! As far as surgery goes for 60 pounds? NO WAY!!!!! The recovery is very difficult and painful! Way too drastic I'd try a Bariatrics specialist first. I don't know if there is one in your area but they specialize in this and may be more supportive! Good luck and don't give up!