Weight Loss and Depression: What's the Connection?

Picture this: You meet up with an old friend you haven’t seen in some time. You notice they're more low energy than usual, and also that they look like they’ve dropped about three pants sizes. 

Finally it comes out that they’ve experienced major depression, which you know can be serious. But it’s confusing: Can’t weight loss be a good thing? And can depression make you lose weight?

The answer is a resounding... maybe. One of the most common symptoms of depression is weight changes, which can show up as weight loss or weight gain. Either one may be healthy or unhealthy depending on the person and the extent to which their weight has changed. 

We’re unpacking the relationship between depression and weight loss and exploring why depression can make you lose weight (or gain weight).

From major depressive disorder (MDD) to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), there are many kinds of depression. 

Some people might experience depression temporarily — like if they’re going through a rough breakup or the loss of a job — while others may have chronic depression that becomes a daily struggle. 

Though it looks different to everyone, depression is typically diagnosed after you’ve had persistent symptoms for at least two weeks. 

Emotionally, depression can take a major toll, making you feel sad, irritable, helpless, or fatigued, among other symptoms. It can also manifest physically, causing aches and pains, headaches, fluctuations in your appetite, and unintentional changes in weight.

Depression and weight gain are often connected. For example, a 2019 meta-analysis showed a relationship between obesity and depression, finding that men and women suffering from obesity had a 55 percent higher risk of developing depression, while those suffering from depression had a 58 percent higher risk of developing obesity compared to controls.

There’s also a connection between weight loss and depression. The numbers you see reflected on the scale can be affected by: 

• Mood changes

• Physical symptoms

• Medication side effects

• Changes in the brain 

Let’s unpack each of these.  

Mood Changes

Unusual changes in mood often indicate that something isn’t quite right with your health. When you’re depressed, you’re more prone to certain symptoms that can cause a shift in your eating habits, often unintentionally.

These symptoms can include: 

• Feeling emotionally drained. When you’re depressed, mustering up the energy to throw together a quick meal can feel like a Herculean effort. As a result, you might find yourself eating less simply because it feels like too much exertion. 

• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed. Maybe you once looked forward to sharing a large pizza with your partner every Friday night on the couch while binge-watching your favorite Bravo shows. But now, you feel completely disinterested — even when it comes to cravings for your go-to comfort foods, like cheesy carbohydrates.

• Having trouble making decisions. Making even the seemingly smallest choices can feel overwhelming. Am I hungry? Not really, but I should probably eat something. What do I want for dinner? Hmm…cooking feels too hard. Should I order in? But nothing sounds appealing. As a result of this wishy-washy mindset, you wind up feeling defeated and don’t bother eating anything at all.

It’s important to take notice of changes in your mood, especially if they feel severe, irrational, come on without any identifiable trigger, and/or are affecting your behaviors around food and eating. 

Other Physical Symptoms

Symptoms of depression can show up as changes in your physical health as well, such as a loss of appetite.

Not only can you feel emotionally drained when you’re depressed, but you might experience physical fatigue, too. Have you ever struggled to muster up the energy to put together a simple meal, or even when you have a plate in front of you, it feels impossible to take a bite? 

In these instances, your body may be physically holding onto excess fatigue that overrides any desire to put food in your body. If you’re also experiencing digestive-related health issues like nausea and stomach pains, this can understandably make you want to eat less.  

Psychomotor agitation, which involves fidgeting and pacing, is yet another physical factor that some people with depression experience. These movements, which sometimes feel involuntary, burn your energy levels and lower your appetite, promoting weight loss. 

Medication Side Effects 

Some medications are known for side effects like weight gain. You may be more likely to be on one of these medications if you’re experiencing depression. So you might be wondering, do all antidepressants cause weight changes?

While unintentional weight gain on antidepressants is a common concern, certain medications are more likely to promote weight loss as a side effect:

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin®)

Bupropion, in particular, has been strongly linked to small amounts of weight loss as opposed to weight gain. Research shows that people who use bupropion to treat depression generally gain less weight, while others may lose weight.

A 2016 study found that non-smokers using bupropion lost an average of 7.1 more pounds than participants on fluoxetine, a popular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), though cigarette smokers actually gained weight when using the drug.

Another review published in 2019 found that while the most popular medications used to treat depression caused weight gain, bupropion caused people to lose weight instead.

Changes in the Brain

Depression isn’t just “in your head” — it causes changes in the chemistry of your brain. Some experts believe there’s a correlation between these chemical imbalances and weight loss. 

A 2016 study revealed that depression can influence appetite, indicating that depression has the ability to make you feel more or less motivated by food as a “reward.”

Just like depression can derail your motivation to work out or be social, it can have a similar effect when it comes to your desire to eat (or not eat).

While depression can certainly promote unintentional weight loss, it’s not the only potential factor. 

Other contributors and risk factors can include: 

• Eating disorders

• Body image-related issues

• Underlying illnesses

• Feelings of grief

• Significant mental stress

• Certain medications

The point is that weight loss can occur for a number of reasons. We may all be affected by these factors differently. 

Regardless, the best step you can take is to speak with a healthcare provider about your concerns. They can help get to the bottom of what’s actually going on in your body (and your mind) and come up with an appropriate treatment plan. 

Does depression cause weight loss? It can for some people. But if we turn the tables, can weight loss cause depression?

That depends. 

Weight loss could potentially be good for your mental health — under the right circumstances. A 2021 review of 24 studies involving 3,244 participants revealed that people living with obesity who followed calorie-restrictive diets experienced a decrease in depression symptoms. 

However, depression shouldn’t be seen as some kind of weight loss technique. Full stop. In some instances, weight loss could be a result of malnutrition (not eating enough and not receiving adequate nutrients) — which isn’t healthy at all. While healthy weight loss can improve symptoms of depression, severe calorie restriction can make it worse.

Additional research supports this relationship, pointing to certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies that are more common among folks struggling with depression.

If, for example, you have low levels of vitamin D, folate, or zinc — all of which are important for helping your body function properly — it can have a negative impact on your mental health. As a result, certain nutritional deficiencies could indirectly increase your risk of developing depression. 

If you’re living with depression and experiencing unwanted changes in your weight, there are things you can do to cope, both physically and mentally. 

Get Regular Physical Activity

Although moving your body may feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re depressed, physical activity releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in your brain. This can help improve your overall mood and offer a healthy distraction, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts that often accompany depression. 

Staying physically active also helps support healthy weight management by burning calories, building muscle, and boosting your metabolism. Aim for a minimum of 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as: 

• Running with your dog

• Swimming laps

• Playing tennis or pickleball

• Joining a group fitness class

• Jumping rope

• Riding your bike

Add a couple of days of strength training as well, which might include lifting weights, using resistance bands, or doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and lunges. 

Practice Stress Management Techniques

Consider having some tried-and-true stress management techniques in your pocket for when you’re feeling depressed or otherwise dysregulated. 

Chronic stress can worsen depression symptoms by increasing the production of the “stress hormone” cortisol. When cortisol remains elevated, it can lead to mood disturbances and emotional eating or even binge eating — often of high-calorie comfort foods.

Here are some ways to manage stress without turning to food:

• Listening to calming music or a sound bath

• Going for a nature walk

• Meditating

• Practicing yoga or stretching

• Practicing deep breathing exercises

Everyone feels stressed sometimes, which is normal. By keeping excess stress in check, you can help stabilize your mood and avoid unhealthy eating behaviors that may contribute to weight gain over time.

Seek Professional Support

Your well-being matters. We were never meant to take everything on by ourselves — especially when faced with mental health challenges like depression. 

Mental health professionals, like therapists and experts in psychiatry, can provide evidence-based treatment approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management. These can help you address the underlying causes of your depression and develop healthier coping mechanisms. 

We offer online access to licensed mental health experts and other resources here. 

Finally, If you’re depressed and concerned about your eating habits or weight management, a registered dietitian can be a helpful resource. 

Depression is a common mental health condition, so if you’re facing it, you’re not alone. Can depression cause weight loss? Sure — it can also cause weight gain. It’s possible that having depression can lead to unintentional changes in your weight, among other side effects. 

• Weight changes are multifaceted. Some people may experience weight loss and depression, while others may gain weight. This could be caused by things like brain and appetite changes, certain antidepressant medications, or physical symptoms of depression. 

• Depression is treatable. It’s important to address depression (and any other mental health conditions) in a timely manner, understanding that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Speak with your healthcare provider or consider our online resources for help. Treatment options may include medications like antidepressants as well as cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy. If something isn’t working or doesn’t feel right, always follow up with your provider.

• Lifestyle changes can help. Certain substances can have a major impact on your mood, like caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. If you’re struggling with depression, your provider may recommend cutting back on daily cold brews or Margarita Mondays. They might also suggest incorporating certain lifestyle changes into your routine, like physical activity, dietary improvements, or journaling, which are all evidence-based coping strategies for dealing with depression.

Want to learn more about depression and other mental health disorders? Our mental health resources are always available to check out for additional information.