Everytime I'm in a depression, I totally lose my appetite. I know when I start getting it back, that I'll starting to feel good again. How to I manage to force myself to eat when I'm never hungry (never thought I'd hear myself saying this). It's really tough when my kids ask what's for dinner and there's nothing in the fridge because I'm never hungry - it's hard to grocery shop.

I do the same thing. Can your husband or someone else pick up the shopping, meal planning for a while? My husband does this for us and him doing so makes sure that I have a meal, when I would forget.

Lookingforhelp,
Depression is tough, but you do have kids who have to eat, whether you can eat or not. Ive had both anxiety and depression, and even when i couldnt eat much, i would make sure i cooked a good meal for my family.
If your arent hungry, you still need to eat, even if its small meals several times a day. Jello, yogart, things like that if you have to. You quit eating, you wont have any energy to cook, or do anything else... So EAT, something through out the day, even if you have to force yourself, your body needs the nourishmente, even if you dont feel like it.
And you need to get out more, espeically if you are depressed. Take a walk, get your endorfins going they help make you hungry, and give you a better sense of mood. Take care Nelly

This is a major problem that im having right now as well. It's so hard to grocery shop and meal plan when you have no desire at all for food, but you gotta feed the family so you force yourself to do it. As it's I have a hard time keeping weight on, so weight loss for me can be dramatic. This usually occurs for me when im going through a bout of depression. Nelly mentioned some really great ideas..but she forgot to mention those ENSURE SHAKES that she and I love so much lol. Of course they should not be used to replace a meal, but when im going through my loss of appetite phases, they help alot. TC Karen

I too lost my appetite with the anxiety/depression. I lost 30 pounds. I love food, but just couldn't eat. What worked for me was eating small meals (4-5 a day), and making sure a protein and fruit were in every meal. Also, drink water, so you won't be dehydrated.

Good luck, and your appetite will come back!

God bless, Suz

I notice it with stress. I had a VERY rough October and November and ended up losing almost 20 pounds! I looked amazing, but now that I'm happy again, I put on about 10. Everyone said "Oh, you look amazing!" I was thinking "I'm malnourished for heaven sake, I'm not dieting!" hahaha.

I went through a severe depression two years ago (first one). I lost alot of weight and that was scaring me. I did start drinking boost and it did seem to help. I told myself that if I ever got my appetite back, I would never complain about my weight again. Guess what? I wanted to lose some weight for my Uncle's wedding this summer and managed to lose 6 lbs.. But how I wish I had my appetite back!!!! Thanks for your support!!

HI. I feel your pain. My main symptom of anxiety and depression has been severe nausea to the point I would gag and dry heave every morning. I have kids and the last thing I ever wanted to do was eat but I forced myself to shop for them. Choose SIMPLE foods- spaghettis, pastas, soups, even those rotisseri chickens that are already made from the grocery.
For yourself, try blan foods and make yourself eat at every meal. I did bananas, yogart, soft granola bars and ensure drinks.
Good luck.

jeanie

Hi, I too lost my appetite for a while, and lost 30 pounds because of it. What really worked for me, was exercise, exercise, exercise and more exercise. This helped me produce the positive endorphins in my brain, which combated the anxiety/depression. Also, I felt hungry again because my metabolism increased. I became hungry, and began to eat small, smart portions. Along with water (3 glasses a day).

I'm back up to a healthy appetite and weight.

Make some changes, and change will come!

God bless,

Suz

I was in bad mental shape last year to the point that anxiety and depression was also causing me to dry heave every morning for 3 months!!! Wow, that was no fun. I lost 15 pounds but even though food was the last thing on my mind I ate plain cheerios in the morning, usually chicken noodle soup for lunch and meat and veggies for dinner with pumpkin or sunflower seeds throughout the day. Not eating makes you feel worse even though you are not hungry. I am definetely much better these days and the appetite is back. I remember being worried about not having an appetite (imagine that...I was worried about everything) so if this is you it will be all ok in time. In fact now its helping me with positive self talk because I used to wear size 14 womans jeans and today I just bought 11 in juniors

It's good to know that I'm not the only one that used to gag in the morning because of my anxiety. It even got to the point where I thought I was maybe anorexic because I was too skinny. Until I realized I was so anxious. Just like the previous people stated eat small meals that you may like and most importantly eat them slowly and enjoy them. What I love to drink now is fresh vegetable and fruit juices that I try to make dialy. Very good for you and delicious.

Hi ,I have lost alot of weight to due panick and anxiety attacks. all i eat is like half sandwich and soup for dinner , some a slicee of cheese for breakfast and lunch nothing much i am obese anyhow so it was good that i lost weight but i too am scared of not getting my appetite back .Now i also read about keeping potassium up how do u do that when u have no appetite ?

to dlcottage: there are a lot of foods which have potassium in them. Bananas have a lot for one thing. If you can have even a half banana on cereal or oatmeal in the morning, that will give you some. And of course, keep up the water drinking, as was suggested to us in the course. I have to remind myself to drink plenty of water during the day and not drink just sodas or other drinks. Vegetables have potassium in them, too. E.J.

Hi,
I am not yet to this session, but was looking for a post about appetite. I have lost mine as well. Stomach is in knots all the time. I am trying to eat when I can, and drinking milk and water as well.
Anyone have any positive feedback on when they finally got their appetite back? I dont want to worry, but you know how we are!
Any words of encouragement will help
Thanks
Barbara

Hi Barbara, You know, I lost my appetite about two months ago, (lost abou 22 pounds which was a blessing), and have found myself getting much more of an appetite lately, starting to want to cook again, things look good at the grocery store, it's a process, not to worry! Just try and especially get protein, in the morning is most important, I found that the drinkable yogurts helped a lot, healed my poor stomach & gave me a boost as well. Look in the dariy case at any grocery, Danactive was one I liked, it's got vitamins and other good things, and tastes great! Don't worry, you'll be ok!
Blessings,
Fairlight