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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vwoolf on December 22, 2004, at 5:42:38
I am interested to know what the link is between depression and weight gain. I normally do not have any eating problems, and my weight is stable at a level I find comfortable. However I have been through three major depressions in my life with intervals of many years in between, and each time my weight has rocketed. I know that I become more lethargic when I am depressed, and I binge eat from time to time, but it feels almost as if it goes beyond that. The gain is too steady. I am taking MAOI's which should not have any side effects of this sort. Is there any other explanation that could influence this, such as slowed metabolism or hormonal changes related to depression?
Posted by gardenergirl on December 22, 2004, at 10:26:27
In reply to Depression and weight gain, posted by vwoolf on December 22, 2004, at 5:42:38
Hi,
Is your depression of the atypical type? Over-eating is one of the diagnostic criteria (either that or over-sleeping or both) of atypical. So if your depression returns, and you were prone to eating more when depressed, it makes sense, unfortunately, that you might gain weight. Are you also staying at the same level of activity, or does that go down with depression as well?One of the signs that I am getting more depressed is I just sleep all the time. I have atypical and also take an MAOI. Unfortunately, the MAOI has led to a significant weight gain for me--something I really need to address, especially since my sister is getting married in about 10 months. Incentive!
Good luck to you, and I hope this helped.
gg
Posted by vwoolf on December 22, 2004, at 13:11:06
In reply to Re: Depression and weight gain » vwoolf, posted by gardenergirl on December 22, 2004, at 10:26:27
GG, thanks for your reply. Yes, I am less active (I have been given a pedometer, and have calculated that when I am feeling active and positive I do about 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day. When I am badly depressed it drops to about 1,500 to 2,500 a day. This alone could explain the weight gain) and yes, I do eat more. But I sort of feel that it's not only psychological, but almost physiological, my lack of energy and my need to eat. Possibly linked to something endocrinal. I went through depression when I was in late pubescence (16-17 years old), when I was 20, and now that I am in peri-menopause at 52. I can't help thinking it is linked. In between, for 30 plus years, my weight and energy levels were stable, as was my mood.
I don't know if this is atypical depression or not. The doctors I have had have always been completely averse to diagnosing me with anything - although they must have put something on my records, so much time has passed that my records have been destroyed or lost.
I am very interested that you have been putting on weight with the MAOI - as you may know from my earlier posts, I am taking aurorix, also a MAOI. I thought there were supposed to be no side effects of this kind.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 22, 2004, at 13:42:45
In reply to Re: Depression and weight gain » gardenergirl, posted by vwoolf on December 22, 2004, at 13:11:06
> GG, thanks for your reply. Yes, I am less active (I have been given a pedometer, and have calculated that when I am feeling active and positive I do about 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day.
That's a great way to track how you are doing. I should try that, too.
>But I sort of feel that it's not only psychological, but almost physiological, my lack of energy and my need to eat. Possibly linked to something endocrinal.
Have you had your thyroid checked lately?
> I don't know if this is atypical depression or not. The doctors I have had have always been completely averse to diagnosing me with anything - although they must have put something on my records, so much time has passed that my records have been destroyed or lost.
Atypical is marked by the over-eating/over-sleeping; rejection sensitivity; "leaden paralysis"; and mood reactivity. This fits me to a "T". MAOI's have been found to be quite effective in atypical.
>
> I am very interested that you have been putting on weight with the MAOI - as you may know from my earlier posts, I am taking aurorix, also a MAOI. I thought there were supposed to be no side effects of this kind.I'm not familiar with aurorix. It's not in my Epocrates program or "The Pill Book". But Nardil does have increased appetite, weight gain, fatigue, weakness, and hypermetabolic syndrome as side effects (among others).
I've always said I would trade relief from depression for a few exra pounds, but only up to a point. I think I'm past that point now, and I need to do something about the weight. I tried weaning the Nardil, but depression came back fairly quickly. Time to try plan B, whatever that may be.
gg
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