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What's the Relationship between Depression and Appetite?
Sarah Graham
Medically reviewed on 11/17/2020 by
Dr. Geoffrey Grammer
Chief Medical Officer
If you've noticed yourself losing or gaining weight while experiencing depression, you're not alone. It's not uncommon for depression to cause changes to appetite, along with a host of other physical symptoms like fatigue and digestive problems. In fact, nearly half of adults with depression experience the combined effects of depression and loss of appetite. Meanwhile, roughly 35 percent see an increased appetite related to depression and may find themselves eating more than normal.
This divergence means that the relationship between depression and appetite is a complex one. Here's a closer look at why depression might change how hungry you feel and where to look for support and treatment.
How Depression May Affect Your Eating Habits
There's limited research into exactly why depression leads to appetite changes. However, one study using functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that similar parts of the brain are implicated in both depression and appetite cues. Different brain responses are associated with different changes in appetite, which could indicate that there are different subgroups of depression.
Beyond affecting your hunger levels, depression can influence the types of food you eat. It's common for people who are experiencing depression and feeling unmotivated to opt for quick and convenient meals or snacks. Similarly, the fatigue and lack of energy that often come with depression can make it difficult to feel like preparing and cooking healthy meals from scratch. If you have an increased appetite, you may crave comforting prepared foods. These are often high in sugar and addictive. As well as being an easy option, these foods may give you an initial feel-good buzz, boosting your mood and energy in the short term. However, they can also lead to energy slumps later, making you feel worse in the long run.
Healthy Eating and Depression
It's easy to see how depression and appetite changes can lead to a cycle of under- or overeating and reliance on convenient foods. We all know about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet to maintain your overall health and well-being. This is equally true when it comes to depression. Research shows a link between high-sugar diets and reduced mood. In fact, 95 percent of the mood-boosting chemical serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. What you put into your stomach really can make a difference to what happens inside your brain.
However, when you're experiencing depression, it can be difficult to muster the energy required to take control of your eating habits. This isn't your fault; remember that appetite changes are common with depression. But that doesn't mean you have to put up with them. Even if you're able to make some adjustments on your own, it's important to seek professional treatment for depression. This can set you on the path toward getting your appetite and diet back in balance as well as improving your mental health.
Seeking Treatment
Your first port of call will often be your doctor or health care team. They can listen to your concerns and recommend common first-line treatments such as antidepressant medications or talk therapy, which may help ease your symptoms. But we know that for some people, depression can be more persistent, and certain treatments may not be as effective for everyone. One study showed that even after trying two different medications, a third of people weren't free of depression symptoms. If previous treatments haven't helped you, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a non-drug, non-invasive option to consider.
TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It works by stimulating areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, so it could help to get both your mental health and your appetite back on track. To learn more about TMS and whether it might be right for you, schedule a no-cost consultation.
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You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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