Weight loss and Depression

BugDude

BugDude

New member
I've noticed in times past that when I've lost a precipitous amount of weight (when trying to do so with diet and exercise) that I seemed to experience some anxiety and depression. I wasn't sure if it was just the circumstances or related to weight loss, but I've now lost about 16% of my original bodyweight and am experiencing it again. All other aspects of life (family, relationships, wife, kids, work, etc.) are great. So, it has me thinking there is a correlation of some sort.

Upon researching the issue, 99.99% of the articles focus on weight loss (or gain) as a RESULT of anxiet and depression and not the other way around. I thought perhaps it was just me, but it seemed to make sense that it could be related since creating an energy deficit, exercise, etc. would be imparting stress on your body physically which could also have emotional impacts.

Well, I found an article that indicates there is a correlation and there are some physiological reasons why this occurs. I'll post that article below. I just found it interesting and it helps me understand what is going on and why.


------------------------

Increase in depression symptoms with weight loss: association with glucose homeostasis and thyroid function.
Chaput JP, Arguin H, Gagnon C, Tremblay A.

Division of Kinesiology, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1K 7P4.

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the potential impact of weight loss up to a state of plateau on symptoms of depression. Eleven obese men (mean body mass index (BMI)=33.4 kg.m(-2), mean age=38 y) participated in this repeated-measures, within-subjects, clinical intervention. They were subjected to a weight-loss program that consisted of a supervised diet and exercise clinical intervention. The phases investigated were (i) baseline; (ii) after 5+/-1 kg loss of body mass (phase 1); (iii) after 10+/-1 kg weight loss (phase 2); and (iv) at resistance to further weight loss (plateau). At each phase of the weight-reducing program, glucose homeostasis markers were determined using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3), and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations were also measured and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered. The weight loss plateau occurred after 7.4+/-1.9 months of intervention and corresponded to a loss of 11.2% of initial body weight (93.9% of which was from fat stores). This amount of weight loss induced a significant decrease in resting metabolic rate (RMR) (p<0.05) and a significant increase in desire to eat (p<0.05) and in depression symptoms (p<0.01) compared with baseline. Intriguingly, the glucose area below fasting values (GABF) at plateau was significantly higher as compared with other phases of the program (p<0.01). We found a strong negative correlation (r=-0.77, p<0.01) between the change in glucose concentrations at 180 min of the OGTT and the change in BDI scores between plateau and baseline values. Similarly, highly significant relationships were found between the change in T3 or fT4 concentrations and the change in BDI scores (r=-0.71 and r=-0.68, respectively; p<0.01). Weight loss until plateauing is associated with a trend toward hypoglycemia at the end of the oral glucose challenge and with a decrease in T3 and fT4 levels. These physiological changes are shown to be highly linked with the increase in depression symptoms observed at plateau. Taken together, these data emphasize the relevance of caution and reasonable objectives when prescribing a weight reduction program to obese individuals.

PMID: 18347657 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 
Hmmm, that's really interesting Bugdude!!

It's funny, they often recommend healthy eating and regular exercising for individuals who are depressed. The act of exercising releases endorphins, and thus boosts the mood. I know they have some serious statistics to back up the relationship between depression and weight loss, but I wonder if there is more going on...it would be interesting if they explored this through qualitative data.

I would say depression during this time could also be due to having higher goals than when they started (as they have seen they can lose weight), and then experiencing a decline in effort:eek:utcome ...that is, they put the same amount of effort in, but do not achieve the same outcome.

Very interesting...thanks for the article.

On a side note, I'm sorry you are feeling this way- you know we are always here for you :)

I will be sending you sunshine, buttercups, puppies and sparkles *hugs*
 
Thanks Tik. It's just a miniscule amount of general anxiety, nothing major. I've dealt with major anxiety and depression, and this is nothing remotely close to that. People keep saying to me, "Man, I bet you feel a lot better" and I'm thinking to myself, not really. I'm tired, my feet and knees are a little sore, and I'm a little anxious. I also realize that creating an energy deficit is a stress on the body which may affect mind. I also have a 2 year old that gets very little sleep lately, which means no one in the house gets much sleep either. Sleep deprivation contributes to anxiety levels as well (been there and done that...suffered with insomnia during a long bout of anxiety about 10 years ago). I also experience some mild seasonal affective disorder since I spend a lot of time outside most of the year until winter. Seratonin and vitamin D levels are affected by that, so it makes sense to me. Once I start getting outside more I'm sure it'll improve. I don't have unrealistic expectations of how I should feel after losing weight and exercising, but I was somewhat surprised to find a physiological link to what I had anecdotally noticed but also considering other influencing factors as well. I'm actually relieved to some degree to understand the dynamics rather than have this expectation that I should feel 10 times better and only feeling a little better to a lot more tired. For me, as long as I understand what is going on with my body and mind and why, I can deal with it.

Anyway, I thought I would share it just in case anyone else had or may experience a little of the same thing. Your sunshine, buttercups, puppies, and sparkles are always much appreciated!!! Thanks.
 
I realize this post is a few years old now but this is EXACTLY what happens to me EVERY time I lose weight. Depression, fatigue, insomnia, eye irritation. Exercise only makes it worse, I'm too weak and fatigued. If I force myself to exercise I pay for it for days. I use to train and run triathlons so I ran, swam, and biked daily (usually twice a day) I'm well aware of the benefits of exercise. Anyway, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one in the world who experiences this.
Rob
 
Hi, I think, it really depends on a person. In my case, losing weight makes me feel good and fit. yes, i get tired but exercise makes me increase my energy and help me become more active.
 
I think it does depend on the person. It is not something that necessarily effects everyone, but for those that it does effect it could help explain the cause and effect. There are also other emotional issues at play that could effect it too especially if a person is predisposed to anxiety issues. If a person eats to calm anxiety and they have been depriving themselves of that outlet, this could influence emotional triggers for depression as opposed to physiological ones. It's not an end all or be all, but for me it finally introduced an explanation for something I've experienced many times when losing significant amounts of weight. It takes it from an anecdotal correlation to a physiological possibility.

On my recent bout to exercise and lose weight, I've not reached a point where this has occurred. Maybe it won't this time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top