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Hi everybody, I am an overweight person being treated for depression - like so many of you who visit this forum. There is a very important matter I would like to bring up - partially for my own benefit, but I am sure others will be drawn to this issue as well.
As you know, depression is a disease of the mind and body. While the body aches, the mind will throw every bit of evidence to your attention why you should be depressed. For those of us who are overweight, being fat becomes a primary focus of much of our depression.
I had been suffering from depression and being overweight for a good portion of my life. When I was 22 years old, I decided that I would once and for all, lose all the weight and would finally achieve happiness. This was the very first time I found the Atkins WOL, and I was very successful in losing close to 40 lbs. over the course of the year. I was not successful, however, in losing the depression. Sure, at first I was very happy with the weight loss, but soon enough the depression came back - and I was actually uncomfortable with a thin body.
Yes, that is right. Soon after a real nasty bout with a major depressive episode, I started seeing a psychiartrist who also offered psychotherapy. The combo of medication & me going off the Atkins WOE caused me to balloon back to my heavy weight, and then some. And as quick as I was to blame the medication (and the medication did rightfully deserve some of the blame) I was surprised with what the therapist pointed out as the real culprit.
Self sabatoge due to unrealistic & body images & associations.
So many of us see weight loss as the ultimate answer to our problems. Some of us hide behind the weight as an excuse not to particpate in certain life activities, others actually believe they embody the concept of being fat (in other words, I don't have a weight problem, I AM the weight problem) So that upon achieving a goal weight or physique, we believe we will literally become different people, better people.
In my case, I suffer from both these psychological issues. I use my weight as an excuse for not participating in social events, and that one day - when the weight is gone, I will. I also have been heavy my entire life, and believe that when I lose the weight, it will be much more than a transformation of size, but of self. Both misconceptions set me up to fail. It did last time, and I am working on stopping them from setting me up this time.
You see, after the weight is lost - all the anxieties over social situations and body image remain. ESPECIALLY considering that I associated myself with being heavy, and not just that I had a weight problem. My therapest pointed out that many people who are overweight suffer from this issue. Some of us become even ashamed of our weight loss, of the sudden attention people start giving us upon seeing a healthier, slimmer us.
Basically what I am saying is, be good to yourselves. Lose the weight to be healthier and look good. But if you are suffering from *clinical depression*, like me, try and recognize any misguided thoughts believing weight loss as the solution to all your problems. It can only set you up for self sabatoge when the weight is lost, but your demons remain lurking.
I know I plan on losing this time around, and keeping it off while learning to be comfortable with myself, fat or thin! And I'll be visiting here alot to make sure I do!
As you know, depression is a disease of the mind and body. While the body aches, the mind will throw every bit of evidence to your attention why you should be depressed. For those of us who are overweight, being fat becomes a primary focus of much of our depression.
I had been suffering from depression and being overweight for a good portion of my life. When I was 22 years old, I decided that I would once and for all, lose all the weight and would finally achieve happiness. This was the very first time I found the Atkins WOL, and I was very successful in losing close to 40 lbs. over the course of the year. I was not successful, however, in losing the depression. Sure, at first I was very happy with the weight loss, but soon enough the depression came back - and I was actually uncomfortable with a thin body.
Yes, that is right. Soon after a real nasty bout with a major depressive episode, I started seeing a psychiartrist who also offered psychotherapy. The combo of medication & me going off the Atkins WOE caused me to balloon back to my heavy weight, and then some. And as quick as I was to blame the medication (and the medication did rightfully deserve some of the blame) I was surprised with what the therapist pointed out as the real culprit.
Self sabatoge due to unrealistic & body images & associations.
So many of us see weight loss as the ultimate answer to our problems. Some of us hide behind the weight as an excuse not to particpate in certain life activities, others actually believe they embody the concept of being fat (in other words, I don't have a weight problem, I AM the weight problem) So that upon achieving a goal weight or physique, we believe we will literally become different people, better people.
In my case, I suffer from both these psychological issues. I use my weight as an excuse for not participating in social events, and that one day - when the weight is gone, I will. I also have been heavy my entire life, and believe that when I lose the weight, it will be much more than a transformation of size, but of self. Both misconceptions set me up to fail. It did last time, and I am working on stopping them from setting me up this time.
You see, after the weight is lost - all the anxieties over social situations and body image remain. ESPECIALLY considering that I associated myself with being heavy, and not just that I had a weight problem. My therapest pointed out that many people who are overweight suffer from this issue. Some of us become even ashamed of our weight loss, of the sudden attention people start giving us upon seeing a healthier, slimmer us.
Basically what I am saying is, be good to yourselves. Lose the weight to be healthier and look good. But if you are suffering from *clinical depression*, like me, try and recognize any misguided thoughts believing weight loss as the solution to all your problems. It can only set you up for self sabatoge when the weight is lost, but your demons remain lurking.
I know I plan on losing this time around, and keeping it off while learning to be comfortable with myself, fat or thin! And I'll be visiting here alot to make sure I do!
Yes, even we of the opposite sex have body issues.
for the therapy and practice at becoming a new person mentally during the physical transition!!
...Was in HEAVEN -got to 150, for awhile, then got too busy, and gave in too much... and... OK holding pattern "keep it together..." 
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