Why Does Depression Sometimes Cause You to Lose Weight?

Depression can be accompanied by changes to your sleep and appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
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More than 16 percent of adults will experience depression in their lifetime, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Depression affects many aspects of everyday life — including appetite, sleep, motivation and energy levels — and in some cases, it can lead to losing weight.

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That weight loss can occur even if it feels like you're frequently eating. Here's what you need to know about how depression can affect your weight.

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Symptoms of Depression

Major depressive disorder is diagnosed based on certain criteria, according to Alexandra Fuss, PhD, a clinical health psychologist specializing in gastrointestinal psychology at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Signs and symptoms of depression include the following, per the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, irritable, frustrated or generally low
  • Losing interest in activities, or not feeling pleasure when doing them
  • Fatigue or reduced energy
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Changes in appetite or weight loss or gain that wasn't intended
  • An inability to think clearly and make decisions
  • Physical symptoms including headaches, cramps or GI problems
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

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Duration matters here: There's a difference between a sad day and unrelenting sadness. With depression, people have some of the symptoms "most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks," according to the NIMH.

"You have to meet at least five of these symptoms, but it doesn't have to be all of them. The main piece is that the symptoms are impacting aspects of daily living," Fuss says.

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How Depression Can Affect Your Weight

Unintended and unexplained weight loss can occur during periods of depression and anxiety, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But exactly how does depression cause weight loss? Consider these two factors:

A Reduced Appetite

When you're depressed, your appetite may change, and you may find yourself less hungry than usual.

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"When someone is experiencing depression, some people have less activity in the brain area that give hunger cues," Fuss says. That could lead to skipping meals or snacks, or generally eating less at mealtime. This reduction in calories can lead to weight loss.

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"Fatigue and loss of energy can impact eating patterns," Fuss says.

That is, depression-related weight loss can happen as several symptoms manifest at once. For instance, if you're experiencing a lack of motivation and energy, plus fatigue, it might stop you from prepping a meal (or even ordering take out) or eating a snack.

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So, while you're experiencing depression, you're still eating — but you may be eating less than usual (perhaps without even realizing it), which could lead to weight loss.

Depression Can Also Lead to Weight Gain

On the opposite side of the spectrum, depression can also cause a person to gain weight. This can be a side effect of medications (more on that in a moment) or due to changes in lifestyle and habits.

"Comforting foods can temporarily ease those feelings of sadness or emptiness. So those who are experiencing depression may be more likely to reach for carbohydrates and foods that are sugary and sweet, which then can lead to weight gain," Fuss says. These highly processed foods trigger the rewards system in the brain, giving temporary feelings of satisfaction, Fuss says.

Another reason for weight gain is inactivity, per the Mayo Clinic.

Try to avoid stress over weight changes, whether it's gaining or shedding pounds.

"Overall I encourage patients to engage in positive self talk and body acceptance," Fuss says. "When we shift that mindset from giving all that power to a number on a scale to how we feel in our bodies, we do start to see more improvement."

Sleeping More — or Less — Than Usual

Another common symptom of depression is a change in sleep patterns.

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"If you have a lack of energy and feeling down, cozying up with a blanket and taking more naps will make it harder to sleep at night," Fuss says.

Difficulty sleeping at night is one possible change due to depression. But another symptom is sleeping more than usual, which may potentially lead to weight loss. One randomized clinical trial looked at 80 adults with overweight who typically slept under 6.5 hours a night. Participants who increased their sleep by 1.2 hours ate about 270 calories less each day than the control group, per results published in February 2022 in ‌JAMA Internal Medicine‌.

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Sleeping too much means less time to eat and consume daily nutrients.

"Some of these things can really cause a domino effect," Fuss says.

To support healthy habits while dealing with depression, Fuss suggests eating a well-rounded diet that includes fruit, vegetables and protein, getting adequate sleep and engaging in social activities keep you connected with friends.

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Medications Can Also Lead to Weight Changes

If you take medications to treat depression, there's a chance it could affect your weight.

Most commonly, medications used to treat depression are associated with gaining weight, per the Mayo Clinic. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most popular medication prescribed for depression. They work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

In a September 2019 study in ‌Obesity Reviews,‌ researchers found that antidepressant and antipsychotic medication can cause weight gain. Some of the medications used to treat depression such as Tofranil, Nardil, Paxil and Pexeva are associated with weight gain, per the Mayo Clinic.

But some medications (including some over-the-counter depression meds) can potentially lead to weight loss.

For instance, the SSRI Fluoxetine (Prozac) may cause a decrease in weight in adults with overweight or obesity, per an October 2019 review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Another study found that bupropion (which you may know better by the brand name Wellbutrin) is associated with long-term weight loss for people who don't smoke, per results published in April 2016 in the ‌Journal of Clinical Medicine‌.

Bottom line: "Everybody responds to antidepressants differently," Fuss says.

Warning

Unexplained or unintentional weight loss can be caused by a number of conditions ranging from mild to very serious, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Consult your doctor for medical advice specific to your condition and health history.

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