10 Symptoms of Dysthymia
4. Eating Too Much or Not Enough
When people are depressed, they often turn to food for comfort. Some eat too much or make poor food choices that are not healthy for their bodies. Cravings for sweets and carbohydrates are a form of self-medication because this type of food temporarily increases serotonin in the brain and makes a person feel better. The positive effects are short-lived, and shame brought on by over-eating can worsen the symptoms of depression.
Other people lose their appetites and can suffer from malnutrition or low body weight. Grocery shopping and food preparation may feel like too much trouble for people who are lethargic and uninterested in life. They may find it easier to just have a drink, smoke, or perhaps go to bed early, rather than to cook dinner. Others simply feel too sad to eat.
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