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

[goofycow]

My disability is for major depressive disorder. I also underwent 6 weeks of in-patient treatment for being a compulsive over eater while on active duty. Yet when I try to bring up the fact that I have an eating disorder, i just get blank stares at VA. I personally believe that VA ignores potentally serious health problems in the hope that we will die early, thus saving the VA a boat load of cash.

Liz

[Chuck75]

To me the big thing to do would be to get IMOs that connect the Depression to Obesity however it is medically reasonable.

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

[Speaking Out]

I think you should go forward with the claim. I know from personal experience how meds for Depression and Anxiety and Mood stabilizers can make you gain weight because I was put on a drug, the generic for Prozac and it made me loose weight. I went from 140 pounds to 111 pounds because it put my 5'8" tall body into metabolic anorexia. When this happened they put me on other meds for Depression, Anixiety and Mood stabilization that were known to cause weight gain to help me gain weight along with having me see a nutritionist. Good Luck!

[Cherie33]

Cherie:

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

Cavman

Hey Cavman,

I was in the Navy. (Airman) I worked at the Wash Rack, the front gate and on the flight line. I even worked in the squadron store.

I have been a disabled vet since 1994

[Josephine]

Yes, depression will most definitely cause weight gain. Being depressed in itself will do it, but also the meds for the depression will also cause it. I watched myself up every night at 2:00 eating a complete box of donuts and couldn't quit due to the medication of etrafon, this would have been in 1975. In two months, I gained from 132 lbs to 180 and had to be taken off the pill. I was changed to another medication and lost the weight and got some much needed sleep also.

I would definitely file the claim.

Food is an excellent pacifier for depression as cigarettes and alcohol are for others.

I hope this helps you with your claim.

Always,

Josephine

Edited March 15, 2007 by Josephine

[Cherie33]

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

Ralph,

"Excuse my ignorance" but What do you mean by Quote "You can probably create a well grounded claim, but the grounding will be weak"?