What can you do about depression?
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What can you do about depression?
| Sat, 01-06-2007 - 4:00pm |
I have depression and food is my drug, and I'm sure a lot of people here can relate. I've been afraid to go on any medication. I work with mentally ill clients and I know how the antidepressants can cause rapid weight gain. That's something I definately don't need, since I already weigh about 285 pounds (maybe more by now). I just feel so hopeless and I'm really hoping someone would be able to give suggestions. I know everyone posts about being depressed and it gets old, but I'm new to this.

kdshelle, welcome. While everyone gets "the blues" every now and then, clinical depression is something that should not go untreated. I think you'd be doing yourself a great favor to speak with your doctor and/or a psychiatrist for their input. Medication does not have to mean weight gain. I've been on Prozac for clinical depression for at least 10 years now and it really works for me and I cannot blame any of my weight gain on it. Now, I do still eat sometimes to cheer myself up or because I'm bored or whatever; everyone does that. But I no longer have the black, paralyzing hopelessness that I had when I was untreated. And now I can look to the future with hope and be more willing to take good care of myself, where that was not possible before. I guess what I'm trying to say is that true clinical depression needs to be treated; you cannot live your life that way; however, there is no magic pill that will keep you happy all the time and away from food. There are still those issues to deal with, because just about everyone likes food and likes to eat. You will still have to discipline yourself.
Sorry for the babbling, and I hope I make sense. Go talk to someone and see if you need to be on medication. That is your first step. Once that is taken care of, and you begin to feel better, you can use this board for support and encouragement on your weight loss journey. We are all working on changing our lives for the better, which can be a long process.
Best wishes and let us know what happens!
Mary #3
247/219.5/135
I agree with Mary.
I am happily married but had been depressed for a few years. I really had no big reason to be so sad all the time. I couldn't figure it out. I finally talked to my doctor about it and she put me on Lexapro. I've never felt better and more motivated in my life. I have more energy and I don't have the anxiety and hopelessness I used to.
I've gained a little weight since starting the drug but I really think it was the way I was eating and not the medication. I've lost 4 pounds in the last two weeks and I'm still on Lexapro.
Please see your doctor. You don't have to live with depression or anxiety.
Samie
Also depression does not necessarily mean medications. It could be treated other ways such as therapy or exercise and diet. When I told my dr that the pills weren't helping
Angela