“Can depression make you gain weight?”

Depression may cause weight gain as well as weight loss. However, There always are multiple factors associated with weight gain.

Some people with depression will eat a lot to soothe themselves and will gain weight. Other people with depression will eat very little and lose weight. The important thing to do is not to "wait" and get help with your depression. Treatment works.

Depression as a syndrome includes many things. From a hormonal standpoint an increase in cortisol (stress hormone) can make one gain weight when depressed. Additionally life style changes that often accompany depression can increase weight, like increased apatite and decreased physical activity. Lastly, some of the medications used to treat depression cause weight gain by changing how the body manages sugar, by turning it to fat rather than storing it for quick energy in the liver or muscles. So the long answer is yes, depression can cause weight gain. However that is not the only variable to consider if you or a loved one are battling depression. Talk with your mental health provider about what treatment fits you situation.

Certainly from an indirect route by a secreted hormone called cortisol. More importantly, some people have a tendency to increase their caloric intake and decrease their caloric output when I depressed. Very important to get everything assessed by a psychiatrist.
Wishing you only the best.

Lance Steinberg MD, Inc.

Good question,

Some people suffering with depression use food as a way to comfort themselves and can gain weight. Others find they have a loss of appetite, food becomes unappealing to them, and they lose weight. So, the answer is yes, no, and maybe.