Starvation and depression are linked, although it is not always clear which condition preceded the other. When it comes to treating the combination of conditions, which came first is not as important as restoring emotional and physical health. Treatment generally consists of a healthy diet to restore the body and therapy with or without medication to restore emotional stability.
Link
While a link exists between starvation and depression, not everyone who becomes depressed necessarily starves themselves. They may go to the other extreme and begin to binge or eat excessively and instead gain weight. In either case, however, depression often results in an eating disorder while starvation typically results in depression.
Starvation
Starvation typically results in depression for biological reasons, according to Healthy Place and Encyclopedia.com. Starvation leads to irritability, inability to concentrate, weakness and fatigue. The body lacks sufficient nutrients and begins to malfunction. One of the malfunctions is producing low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for many of the brain's functions, including the feeling of being sated and emotionally stable.
Depression
Depression has many potential side effects, the Mayo Clinic website notes, and loss of appetite is one of them. Depression can lead to apathy toward all things, from what you wear to what you eat. Things that used to interest you can no longer hold allure; you may become distracted, easily frustrated, irritated and fatigued. In addition to loss of appetite, depression can result in a lack of sex drive and energy, with even the smallest tasks feeling like a major burden. Insomnia or a change in sleeping patterns can result, as can inexplicable aches and pains. Depression can also result in feeling as if you have no control over a situation, which can trigger an eating disorder, such as anorexia, Healthy Place notes.
Considerations
The most severe cases of starvation and depression, either combined or individually, can be fatal. Starvation can lead to death because the body starts breaking down and feeding off itself to survive, a feeding that does not last longer than eight to 12 weeks for most adults, according to Encyclopedia.com. Depression can lead to death from suicide, along with fatal health complications such as heart disease and other medical conditions as well as drug and substance abuse, Mayo Clinic says. While treatment for both conditions is required for a full recovery, Healthy Place notes certain doctors will not begin treatment for depression until a patient is at a weight at least above 98 lbs.
