So stressed I can't eat

[Lindsey14]

Past couple days i haven't had an appetite. Everytime I try to eat I gag.... Now I feel crappy from not eating but I still have no urge to eat....can anxiety/depression do this?

[PT81]

Hi Lindsey14. Anxiety and depression can definitely do that. Then the feeling crappy from not eating can make it worse. I went through something similar not to long ago. I really made myself eat small portions (fruit bars, piece of cheese) of something through out the day instead of a 1-2 meals. Your body needs energy to cope and manage stress.

[Lindsey14 in reply to PT81]

I try to eat small amounts but it's hard

[PT81 in reply to Lindsey14]

It really is hard, but your body needs it. I remember that Even the smell of food in the kitchen made my feel nauseous.

But slowly it got better.

[Lindsey14 in reply to PT81]

You got better from it?

[PT81 in reply to Lindsey14]

Yes. I think it did in that moment. I still have experience anxiety but I’m not losing weight anymore. I’m eating more and enjoying pizza again (so that’s a bonus!)

I believe that being physically healthy and mentally/emotionally healthy go hand and hand.

[Glitter28]

Yess!!! I do the same thing when I am depressed and when I make myself eat it’s usually something small because I don’t have the energy or motivation to cook and when I do eat it’s like it takes me forever to eat what’s in front of me even if it’s my favorite thing to eat and I have lost a lot of weight because of not eating when depressed.

[Straight in reply to Glitter28]

I have been rapidly loosing weight myself and even though my appetite is back I eat small portions. I don’t drink soda very much anymore and very few sweets. I don’t know why other than I’m not hungry for it. I’m not sure I like how much weight I’m loosing.

[Glitter28 in reply to Straight]

That’s exactly how I am. I’m from the south so my thing is sweet tea lol but my S.O. told me the other day that I’m getting way too small and it makes me feel like he isn’t attracted to me cause of that remark then I go into overthinking mode, but I can’t help it and I do force myself to eat something to keep weight on. I had our daughter 15 months ago and after I got out of the hospital I weighed 165 and now I’m down to 110 and I’m 4”11 but I used to stay in the 120-126 area and it really does make a big difference but what can I do about it 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Straight in reply to Glitter28]

I don’t know. I’m eating just not enough I guess. It concerns me like it does you and funny how people are as critical over skinny people as fat. I myself am not taking in a lot of sweets. That should be a good thing.

[Glitter28 in reply to Straight]

Yes there is no need in body shamming but it’s also not good to lose weight by being constantly depressed but I’m not big on sweets that much just sweet tea😊

[Straight in reply to Glitter28]

So I’m 5’6 and down to 148. My waist was a 38 now it’s like a 33. That’s what I was at age 30. Im just not that hungry. I eat even if I’m not hungry and when I do it’s fine. But I will day I have an absolute intolerance for fast food and carry out now. I think I had so much of it. It kind of makes you sick and we all now it’s not good for you. Are there certain foods that you just can’t eat now? Mexican I can’t do anymore and used to love it.

[Hidden]

Like everything else in life that demands your attention, managing your eating and weight (loss) should be put at the very top of the priority list.

Depression caused me to become underweight, being underweight caused muscle loss, weakness, fatigue, menestrual problems (hormone imbalance), etc. Life lesson for me after 13 years persistent depression was to at least eat, it has a profound effect on us we don’t realize and we need to be strong physically, get adequate sleep so we can work on and manage our mental health otherwise it just compounds everything.

You’re at a point where this is concerning you hence writing this thread, only you can add the calories you need, listening to your hunger cues and not ignoring them and doing this repeatedly should start your appetite back up, managing this one aspect of your depression and anxiety takes willing to not let it win. Wishing you the best. 🌸

[Glitter28 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Boober180]

I start my day with a multivitamin and a few bites of fruit and water. Then I just nibble all day until I build up my normal appetite.

[Thetealharp]

I had this with being really anxious and then it became an issue with food and eating so please be careful. Make sure you eat something (I find mornings worse so sometimes I will just have a banana). Losing a lot of weight and it quickly is really bad for your health, and could get you hospitalised.