Self Improvement / Healthy Living

Stress and Depression: Likely Causes for Drastic Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss is not always due to a physical illness. Sometimes, it could be caused by certain mood disorders. These disorders possibly root from a mental illness, which affects weight. Two of the most common mental illnesses are stress and depression.

Stress
We face stressors constantly. It can come in many forms: stress from commuting to work or school, getting a parking ticket, or not getting along with a co-worker; and stress due to divorce, financial problems, or job loss. When stress becomes chronic and is not dealt with correctly, it could lead to a lot of mental and physical health issues. Losing weight is just one of many manifestations.

Fortunately, weight loss caused by stress is the easiest to address. You just need to find ways to relieve it.

  • Getting a massage, going away for a short respite, or taking on a new hobby can be a good start.
  • There are foods that alleviate stress, too. You need to be more conscious about the foods you eat. It pays to stick to healthy and well-balanced meals.
  • Exercising is another proven stress buster.

You don’t have to carry out everything that is suggested all at once. Changing lifestyle does not happen overnight. Just like everything else, you can take baby steps. What’s important is you’re consistent in taking the necessary actions toward dealing with stress more effectively.

Depression
Some people may dismiss depression as just some form of sadness. But feelings of sadness and despair that a cup of coffee, hot chicken soup, or conversation can’t fix are no simple matter. Depression is a serious mental disorder. It can last for years. It can ruin lives. It’s even responsible for certain suicides.

It is more than just a simple disposition problem. Depression is probably the most misunderstood of all mood disorders. According to studies, depression has deep rooted causes. Doctors believe that it is caused by an imbalance in the brain’s ability to produce norepinephrine and endorphin, chemicals responsible for mood control.

Sadness and feelings of despair are not the only symptoms of depression. It also includes overall loss of interest at life itself – loss of appetite and loss of energy to perform life’s usual activities.

A person suffering from depression feels weak and sickly, constantly reporting body aches and pain. Furthermore, depression usually comes hand-in-hand with anxiety.

Help

Mental health is part of our overall health. Although we are not immune to events that could potentially cause us stress or depression, possessing the right attitude in coping with life’s challenges can be our saving grace. Having the wrong mindset could aggravate situations that were never dire to begin with.

 Losing sleep, appetite, focus… Lacking energy. Becoming indifferent. It’s important to distinguish when what you’re experiencing is more than just feeling blue. Do not dismiss tell-tale signs. Know when to seek help for yourself or for someone who is going through serious mental health problems.

A psychologist can help one deal with stress or depression through therapy. There are also dietitians or nutritionists who can guide you about good nutritional habits. They are not just knowledgeable on developing specific diets for people to lose weight but also to alleviate mood disorders. The help of a life coach can also be sought.

When we are in our lowest of lows, we tend to be very emotional about it. Objectivity evades us. Sometimes, to get a better perspective about life, we need an outsider to give sense to what’s happening around us. Reassessing life priorities can also help. It allows us to realize what’s really important. Although life is unpredictable, we can at least try to prepare for the usual phases that we go through.