How Can Depression Influence Our Eating Habits?

Perhaps you fluctuate between being very hungry one minute and not so hungry the next. Or maybe you're just never that hungry at all and you eat less. Maybe you find yourself eating more than before, even if you're not physically hungry.

Mood plays a big role in our eating habits, especially when it comes to mood disorders like depression. Let's learn more about how depression can influence our eating habits.

Overeating

Some people struggling with depression often use food to cope with some of the signs and symptoms they may be experiencing. Food will be used instead of thinking about any problems that they're facing.

Craving Sugary Foods

Depression can cause some individuals to overeat, but it doesn't stop there. You've probably heard of eating healthy and well-balanced meals to feel good from the inside out. Focusing on clean eating has been shown to increase someone's mood and how they feel about themselves.

With depression, an individual may actually crave sugary foods or comfort foods as a way to try to feel better. When we eat foods that are high in sugar or fat, feel-good chemicals are released in the brain. That's why when you're feeling sad or down, you tend to crave those items. The food acts as a quick and temporary mood fix, not a long-lasting one.

Using Substances

Alcohol is another product that can provide temporary relief at the moment for someone with depression. A downside to it is that alcohol is also considered a depressant and some may end up feeling worse after consuming it.

Undereating

Another way that depression can affect eating habits is by causing them to under-eat. Some of the most common signs and symptoms can cause start to have an impact on someone's eating habits.

Low Energy Levels

Some of the most common signs of depression include low energy levels, fatigue, and changes in sleep patterns. These symptoms can cause a shift in someone's eating habits as well.

For example, an individual struggling with depression may spend the majority of their day in bed due to their low energy levels, which means they'll skip meals or may not have the energy to finish their meals.

Loss of Interest in Enjoyable Foods

Loss of interest, especially in activities and things that were once enjoyable, is another sign of depression. The pleasure that one may receive from eating their favorite foods may decrease, which can also lead to a loss of appetite.

Caught in Feelings

Depression can cause an individual to experience extreme feelings of sadness, loss of hope, and worthlessness. Someone with depression may be so caught up in these negative thinking patterns and feelings that they may forget to eat.

These feelings can cause a huge decrease in someone's self-image and self-worth, which may also make them feel like they don't deserve to eat. Another feeling that someone with depression usually experience is anxiety. Anxiety can bring on other symptoms like nausea or other gastrointestinal issues which can reduce someone's appetite.

Next Steps

How you fuel your body plays a big role in depression and how the different signs and symptoms may affect you. Depression can't be fixed with a change of diet on its own, but it is a great place to start.

If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, it's important to reach out for help as soon as you can. The sooner you reach out for help, the sooner you can get back to living your life to the fullest again.

Don't hesitate to get the help you need and deserve. Reach out to me today for a consultation so you can see how depression treatment and online therapy can help you.