Eating, Comfort And PTSD

[Hemels]

Hi Guys,

Over the last few weeks I've found myself eating more and more and more. The more I eat the happier I feel but the hungrier I feel so the more I eat. It's becoming a vicious cycle. I've put 2 stone on in the last 2 month and although thats a good thing because my weight is now a normal thing of 8 & 1/2 stone I constantly feel bloated and sick because of the amount I eat.

Does anyone else have this same problem or anything simular? I was thinking it maybe my meds but now it's getting beyond the joke the amount I can shovel away in a day. I'm starting to feel rather unheathly with eating several packets of chrisp, chocolate, sweets and anything else I can get my sweetly craving hands on.

Anyone got any ideas on how to try to control this eating issue?

Thanks

Hemmy xXx

 

[Pixie]

Hi Hemmy

When I started on Risperdal a few years ago, I gained weight like crazy. I WAS a healthy weight (though people told me I was too thin) but since then, and even after a few med changes, I still ended up 20kgs heavier than when I started.

My meds (specifically the anti-psychotic) were the culprit for me. I would find myself up in the middle of the night, chowing down over 2000 calories in about 10 minutes and I simply couldn't help myself. Add that to the huge amount of time I spent sleeping to zone out and you get weight increase at an alarming rate...

I have recently reduced my meds after I refused to take them and my psych gave me a much lower dose and a newer version of Seroquel which is a slow release med. Since then, which was only a month and a half ago, I've already lost 8kgs. I find I'm not eating anywhere near as much because I simply don't need it and the cravings have stopped completely.

I have also increased my exercise by playing team sport (netball) 5 times a week which also gets me out of the house.

I know that some people eat to cover feelings etc... and maybe that is part of it... but I would check out the side effects of your meds and talk to your psych or GP about your concerns...

Pixie

 

[Hemels]

Hi Hemmy

I have recently reduced my meds after I refused to take them and my psych gave me a much lower dose and a newer version of Seroquel which is a slow release med.

Pixie

Seroquel, I am on 50mg twice a day of these. They say as a side effect that you can gain weight but I'm sure it's my Citalopram 20mg thats doing it

Hemmy xXx

 

[NarcSis]

Hey Hemmy,

I'm not on any meds, so the weight I've gained IS actually my fault. I stopped exercising, didn't like the adrenalin, it made me feel like I couldn't breathe, of course, vicious cycle, then came the fear, the anxiety, blah, blah same old routine. I am still fighting with my fear of exercising - thus I don't do it often, not even Non cardio stuff. I feel like a blob now, I've put on 12 pounds since the beginning of summer.
I am also officially diabetic now, so here I was thinking I had to eat less, NOOOOOO, I am actually not eating enough.

My problem is the not exercising, the not maintaining the balance. I know my vice, I just have to make the effort to correct it.

What's your reason? You need to find out why you're comforting yourself with crisps instead of apples.

 

[cat]

Hi Hemmy

It could be the Citalopram. I was on 20mg for six months & put on a 5lbs then in September increased my dose to 40mg. I've now put on 10lbs in total which makes me heavier than I've ever been. Talking to my GP about it last week she told me Cit does increase your appetite & slow down your metabolism so to be careful about what I eat & do more exercise. I do get strong carbohydrate & sweet cravings & thought I was just comfort eating but now I know why it is I try to eat accordingly always having lots of fruit around & I don't buy snacks.
As for more exercise well that wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't broken my toe last week!

In its favour though Citalopram has made such a difference to my anxiety & depression that a few extra pounds weight seem a small price to pay.

Maybe you should talk to your GP about your concerns just to give you some reassurance.
Cat

 

[Deleted member 541]

Crap, I don't take anti depressants anymore, so I guess I can't blame my weight gain on that......

It is frustrating, I will agree. It sounds to me like you are anxious, so you are eating......Could this be the reason behind the eating so much?????

 

[starshine]

It doesn't fill the deep emotional emptiness.
It's just an illusion that it does.

 

[Manic11]

I have the opposite problem. I'm actually suffering with this right now.
I'm going through lots of tests and things because the doctors can't figure out whats wrong with me. They think I may have gallstones or gall bladder disease. I'm not able to eat. If I eat, there's extreme amounts of pain and sometimes I can't keep it down and I'm never hungry. I've lost drastic amounts of weight since getting sick.
Finally my doctor told me he thinks my anxiety has a lot to do with it. When I get upset, scared, anxious, etc I don't eat at all.

Next time, try drinking a glass or two of water then waiting 20 minutes. If you're still hungry in 20 minutes, then eat or go for a walk. Sometimes that helps?

Hope that helps...
Manic

 

[Pixie]

Seroquel, I am on 50mg twice a day of these. They say as a side effect that you can gain weight but I'm sure it's my Citalopram 20mg thats doing it

I was on 300mg a day (night only) and would find that without fail, within 15 mins of taking it, I was ravenous! As at that stage, I was taking the Effexor in the morning, I knew it was the Seroquel. I feel much better now that I'm back down to 50mg once a day and on the slow release. I'm sure my psych wants me on more as my symptoms can be... difficult. But this is all I'm willing to take for now.

I have also been on Citalopram (right at the beginning) but it wasn't good for me but I can't remember why. I was eventually put on Effexor which is what I take now.

Pixie

 

[onebravegirl]

Could be meds, could be anxiety. Try fruit-it is filling healthy and non fating. POMEGANITS are great for this. They are challenging to eat and so rewarding when you find the treasure of those little rubies in side!
Seriously, stay away from all the processed sugar, it is bad for you.:naughty:
O

 

[raku]

One of the news stories I heard in the past year - sorry, can't be more specific - said that fatty foods and carbohydrates alleviate depression.

Here's a link [spaces added]:
www. bodyrecomposition. com/nutrition /carbohydrate-intake-and-depression-qa.html

 

[Akita]

Yes, I am an emotional eater and a food addict. Some days are better then others but on especially bad days I will continue to eat past the point of being full or even to the point of feeling bloated. To the point where it feels like you constantly have rocks in your belly and the mere thought of food makes you feel ill. I am trying to better my eating habits however, because I need to lose weight for my health. I'm not morbidly obese but because I hit the genetic lotto of crap regular obesity puts me at risk for developing a slew of health problems I'd rather avoid.