“Is there a link between loss of appetite and depression?”
My father is 72 years old and is suffering from loss of appetite. He is having multiple health problems and is aloof and depressed most of the time these days. Could his loss of appetite be due to depression?
15 Answers
It is possible that there is adjustment issue involved. My sense is that there may be deeper causes of anxiety and depression, that are usually related to personal history. I suggest that your father seeks professional help for his issues.
Yes, your father's depression COULD be due to depression. It also could be due to one of his health problems. He should see his doctor or a qualified therapist. Depression can also interfere with management of health issues (by not caring enough to follow good health practices or take medications as directed). Get him evaluated!
Cloyd Taylor, Ph.D.
Cloyd Taylor, Ph.D.
Yes, change in appetite (increased or decreased) is a common symptom of depression. Encourage your father to speak to a medical professional to determine if there are other explanations including side effects of medications. Depression is a common experience in older adults so a medical or mental health provider can help your father discuss how the medical problems are impacting his mood.
Estaré de vacaciones navideñas.
Brandi M. Buchanan
Psychologist
Depression can cause a loss of appetite, but so can medical conditions. I would suggest having him seen by his PCP to rule out any medical reason and to determine if his weight loss is significant enough to need treatment.
Brandi Buchanan, PhD
Brandi Buchanan, PhD
Decreased appetite can be a symptom of depression. His other health issues could also be a factor in the loss of appetite. I would encourage him to seek help from a mental health expert with experience in health psychology.
Yes, loss of appetite can be a sign of depression. Interestingly, excessive appetite and therefore weight gain also can signify depression.
The question then is what to do next. Best is to find out what has triggered the depression. What does your father feel discouraged about? Is there a way to help him get what he is depressed about not getting?
Medication for depression may help as well.
At the same time, loss of appetite also can stem from medical problems. Be sure to evaluate them as well.
For more information on helping someone with depression, see my youtube TEDx talk on lifting depression and my book, Prescriptions Without Pills: For Relief From Depression, Anger, Anxiety and More.
Susan Heitler, PhD
The question then is what to do next. Best is to find out what has triggered the depression. What does your father feel discouraged about? Is there a way to help him get what he is depressed about not getting?
Medication for depression may help as well.
At the same time, loss of appetite also can stem from medical problems. Be sure to evaluate them as well.
For more information on helping someone with depression, see my youtube TEDx talk on lifting depression and my book, Prescriptions Without Pills: For Relief From Depression, Anger, Anxiety and More.
Susan Heitler, PhD
Yes, lack of appetite is a common result of clinical depression. It is actually called ‘anorexia,‘ but it is not the same as ‘anorexia nervosa’ that you probably have heard of, in which people, usually young women, believing that they are ‘fat,’ starve themselves.
Of course, lack of appetite can stem from many physical causes, but often the psychological causes are ignored. Good for you for raising this possibility!
Peace,
Marian
Of course, lack of appetite can stem from many physical causes, but often the psychological causes are ignored. Good for you for raising this possibility!
Peace,
Marian
Yes
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Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope that you have informed your dad's primary care about dad's loss of appetite along with other health problems to ensure that he is is receiving much needed help for his health problems.
As mind and body are connected, what affects one can adversely affect the other. His feeling depressed, isolating himself through aloofness along with loss of appetite are some of the diagnostic criteria for Major Depression. Some people experience increased appetite and others decreased, so some gain weight and others lose.
I would suggest that besides informing his Primary Care Physician, you may also want to encourage dad to see a licensed psychologist and a licensed psychiatrist to rule out major depression and receive appropriate psychotherapy and medication management.
Take care.
Dr. Sonpal
I hope that you have informed your dad's primary care about dad's loss of appetite along with other health problems to ensure that he is is receiving much needed help for his health problems.
As mind and body are connected, what affects one can adversely affect the other. His feeling depressed, isolating himself through aloofness along with loss of appetite are some of the diagnostic criteria for Major Depression. Some people experience increased appetite and others decreased, so some gain weight and others lose.
I would suggest that besides informing his Primary Care Physician, you may also want to encourage dad to see a licensed psychologist and a licensed psychiatrist to rule out major depression and receive appropriate psychotherapy and medication management.
Take care.
Dr. Sonpal
That really depends. As we get older, we don’t eat as much and depression sneaks upon us easier. Let your father know that I said he is still young and he can fight these health issues. Have him go on a holistic program and change his eating habits to a more healthy diet. Most medical doctors don’t want patients to take vitamins or supplements, but they can help him as he ages. Happy holidays.
Yes, absolutely. As always, it’s important to rule out any underlying medical condition first, before treating depression.
Possibly, however as there are a multitude of possibilities, it is important to address this with his physicians first.
Yes, appetite loss is a typical symptom of Major Depression. There is no specific treatment for appetite loss per se, however most modern antidepressants in combination with psychotherapy can help treat the symptoms of depression to help your father to start functioning better and increase his appetite. A Psychiatrist can prescribe medications for depression, while a Psychologist can provide psychotherapy to help your father cope better and learn strategies for decreasing depressive symptoms.
This answer is for information only and does not constitute treatment.
Changes in appetite can be a symptom of depression, but this can also be related to a number of other health conditions as well as a side effect of some medications. Talking with your father and asking him to participate in some of his doctor appointments to express your concerns to his doctors, assuming that is OK with him, might be a good place to start. If you father receives counseling to help address his depressed mood and help him get support for his health problems, you could also ask for him to raise the appetite issue with his counselor. Similar to his medical doctors, you could ask him if he would bring you to a session so you could raise the issue with his counselor.
Ruling out medical issues is usually a good first step when trying to address an issue like change in appetite that can have both medical and psychological causes.
Changes in appetite can be a symptom of depression, but this can also be related to a number of other health conditions as well as a side effect of some medications. Talking with your father and asking him to participate in some of his doctor appointments to express your concerns to his doctors, assuming that is OK with him, might be a good place to start. If you father receives counseling to help address his depressed mood and help him get support for his health problems, you could also ask for him to raise the appetite issue with his counselor. Similar to his medical doctors, you could ask him if he would bring you to a session so you could raise the issue with his counselor.
Ruling out medical issues is usually a good first step when trying to address an issue like change in appetite that can have both medical and psychological causes.
