I have just read an article that talks about the link between mental health and obesity. No one is suggesting that everyone with a weight problem has a mental illness and I guess that the same can be true in that not everyone with a mental illness is over weight. Some medication and periods of illness can cause people to lose their appitite and lose weight. I’m not sure if I lost weight but I lost my appetite for about a week the first time I went into hospital due to a lot of things going on in my head at the time. Things like thinking I could starve myself as I was still fairly suicidal at the time and also thinking things like if people in other countries can’t eat why should I get to eat?

When I got my appetite back after a few weeks I found I had the opposite problem. I was eating too much. I was eating three square meals a day and then having super of toast and whatever was left from the day too. I found myself really looking forward to meal times as it was the only thing that really put structure to my day. It semmed there was nothing to do except eat. There were also puddings available and there was always a healthy option available but I found it hard to pick that one over the one I usually wanted.

Then I got put onto two types of medication. Both can have the side effect of weight gain (But also weight loss for some people) and an increase in appetite.

Over the last four ish years I have slowly got bigger and bigger putting more weight on. Putting on nearly five stone all together. I’m my heaviest at the current time and unfortunately I seem to be stuck in a bit of a cycle. When I’m happy I eat and I feel good when I can eat what I want and not constantly deprive myself which has got me to the state I’m in now. When I deprive myself I feel miserable and unable to see the long term goal and benefits. But if I stay the weight I am I’m going to be constantly getting down about my self image and this doesn’t help with my depression.
As most people will be aware depression causes people to lack motivation and energy which is vital if you want to get to the gym at least a few times a week! I think some people think I am always putting barriers in the way but I do find it really hard.

All I can hope for is that when I do finally come off the meds it might help a little with me trying to lose weight.
Its also worth mentioning that excerise is always recommened for those suffering with mental health problems and is linked to positive well being so if you can get out there and do some exercise you enjoy do it and I will be trying to do the same.