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

[Cherie33]

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.

Hey John,

You are so right. I remember times that I just want to stay in my bed all day.

Cherie33

[Cherie33]

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.

Hey Berta,

No, the doctor who examined me was a real character. He didn't seem to care about how I felt, he was focused on "if my asthma had anything to do with my service connected disabiliy". I don't know why the VA uses a doctor who has never seen you before.

No, don't have any allergies, except finergan. (I don't think that's how you spell it, but I think you know what I mean.)

I am not employed.

Cherie

[Cherie33]

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

Thanks Josephine...I think what I will do is first, research my medications with a listing of the side effects. Try and get IMO's, not sure I will get those from yet. Anyway, then I'll talk with my VA primary care doctor and my psychic doctor and I'll get statements from them. Then I will file a claim with the VA and include all of the information that I can get. Does this sound like a plan?

Cherie33

[tdak]

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

Hi Cherie33,

Being Major depressive is already hard enough to deal with, but if you look at what some of the symptoms of it are, you may find any of these:

Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping

A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss

Fatigue and lack of energy

Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt

Extreme difficulty concentrating

Agitation, restlessness, and irritability

Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (such sex)

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Thoughts of death or suicide

When did the weight game come into play?

I know that when I talked to my vet rep about us filing for my secondary conditions, she wanted to make sure that the secondary condition was caused (or more than likely to have been caused) by the 1st condition and that I didn't have it prior to my diagnosis of my 1st condition. (I hope that made sense).

Good luck.

Tamara

Edited March 16, 2007 by tdak

[Cherie33]

Hi Cherie33,

Being Major depressive is already hard enough to deal with, but if you look at what some of the symptoms of it are, you may find any of these:

Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping

A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss

Fatigue and lack of energy

Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt

Extreme difficulty concentrating

Agitation, restlessness, and irritability

Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (such sex)

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Thoughts of death or suicide

When did the weight game come into play?

I know that when I talked to my vet rep about us filing for my secondary conditions, she wanted to make sure that the secondary condition was caused (or more than likely to have been caused) by the 1st condition and that I didn't have it prior to my diagnosis of my 1st condition. (I hope that made sense).

Good luck.

Tamara

Hey Tamara,

I can relate to all of those things. My weight gain pretty much began some years ago and gradually got to this point. More in recent months. I also have developed other problems. I had to have my gall bladder removed and now I have fatty liver disease (I may have to go for a biopsy). So, I am just in a big pickle. I can't work, I can't think, I'm just troubled all around.

Cherie33

[tdak]

Cherie,

Just make sure you maintain your meds to keep yourself not so darn depressed. It is very scary to deal with from my point of view. My dad took his own life in 1985 due to MDD. He was also hard of hearing and didn't want to be bothered to help himself, because of the depression. Seeing you here and having a positive outlook is a big plus.

I hope your feeling better! :)

Tamara