Can mood swings and depression cause weight gain?
(Female, 47) A: Depression and mood swings do not directly cause weight gain, but they are often associated with it. They can affect your appetite directly. However, the weight gain is probably more about other reasons for eating, such as seeking comfort or as a way of responding to feelings of emptiness and hopelessness. These feelings often lead to less physical activity, which also adds to weight gain. Women approaching menopause often experience mood swings, poor sleep, feelings of anxiety and feelings of sadness or depression. It would be good to have a general medical check-up, including establishing where you’re at in terms of menopause and hormonal levels in your blood. Other causes of weight gain, such as thyroid disease, should also be considered and checked out. As well, it is often really useful to talk to someone about the feelings you describe. You could go to your GP or you might like to attend a more specialist women’s health service like the Jean Hailes Foundation for
(Female, 47) A: Depression and mood swings do not directly cause weight gain, but they are often associated with it. They can affect your appetite directly. However, the weight gain is probably more about other reasons for eating, such as seeking comfort or as a way of responding to feelings of emptiness and hopelessness. These feelings often lead to less physical activity, which also adds to weight gain. Women approaching menopause often experience mood swings, poor sleep, feelings of anxiety and feelings of sadness or depression. It would be good to have a general medical check-up, including establishing where you’re at in terms of menopause and hormonal levels in your blood. Other causes of weight gain, such as thyroid disease, should also be considered and checked out. As well, it is often really useful to talk to someone about the feelings you describe. You could go to your GP or you might like to attend a more specialist women’s health service like the Jean Hailes Foundation for
