Can Depression Lead To Overweight?

[Cherie33]

Hello Fellow Disabled Vets,

I was just thinking. I had filed a claim some time ago regarding my asthma problem. I was diagnosed with asthma about 3 years ago by my VA Primary care doctor. I have been on inhalers sine then. When I filed my claim the C & P doctor that examined me for my asthma said that it was due to me being overweight..(Go figure) So, the VA turned my claim down. Anyway, I was reading some info onlie about Depression and being overweight. I thought maybe since I am 10% disabled for IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) & 50% (Major Depressive Disorder w/Psychotic Features) combined %60. That my depression brought on the being overweight and the overweight brought on the asthma.

I know that this is probably a long shot but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Cherie33

[Objee]

Cherie,

The link between depression and obesity is a "chicken and egg" problem. A recent medical study said "Weight gain and obesity can be an important adverse reaction to psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, both of which are used in the treatment of affective disorders." More common is a research finding that obesity causes depression. The relevant studies are called Longitudinal Studies.

You can probably create a well grounded claim, but the grounding will be weak.

Ralph

[Cavman]

Cherie:

I was just curious as to what your job was in the service and when were you in?

Cavman

[Pete53]

Many of the Meds used to treat depression can lead to weight gain.

[john999]

Plus, if you are really depressed you don't feel like doing things. Some people overeat when they are depressed and some don't eat at all.

[Berta]

Cherie- Pete had a great point and it isnt a long shot at all-

There are many studies that reveal this but these would be considered not relevant to your specific claim by the VA.

The VA has a Eating Disorder C & P so it isnt beyond possibility that either your meds, or your depression or the asthma caused the weight gain.

Did the doctor give any opinion on whether or not the MDD could have caused the weight gain?

Maybe not-if it was only for the asthma claim.

Did you have any allergies noted in your SMCs?

Sometimes there is a link from allergies to asthma-

Also there is a link of allergies to depression and even anxiety.

Gee if we could get Dr. Phil to write IMOs I bet he would agree that your MDD probably caused the weight gain-

I would pursue this claim if I were you-

by the way are you employed?

Your meds-if accessed on some good Web med sites , might show weight gain as side affect.

[mountain tyme]

If I remember correctly I read somewhere a while back that except in rare circumstances, obesity is not considered a disabling condition because it can be controled or modified. Except is some rare cases as I stated.

Can overweight be secondary to major depression...yes it can, then the VA will look at the whole picture as to what meds you are on and adjust your medications to see if that will reverse the weight gain...Sometimes I think the VA is like a Auto Repair store it will nickle and dime you to death instead of just fixing the problem from the get go...it might cost a little more but at least is will not be a temporary fix...OR IN MOST CASES JUST MASK THE PROBLEM..

I believe the VA will pay for someone to have the rubber band procedure which can help one to lose weight...which in the long run would be very benifical to one's health...wieght can cause so many disabling conditions and could lead to early death....

but anyways I hope everything works out for you

MT