Has anyone lost alot of weight from generalized anxiety disorder ?

[AnxietyJoe]

Ever since my upper back pain started back in late August I have lost about 60 pounds I have had lack of appettite ever since October  when I went to my doc. I weighed at 302 down from 317 then I went in 2 weeks later my weight wasn't changed then during that time I was googling on what can be causing my upper back pain all sorts of things came up from kidney to cancers  I kept on thinking about it  non stop specially after when I started losing more weight from  302 to 295,287 in matter of 3 weeks I did eat during this times but not much like the way I use to during the 2nd week of November I went into depression mode for a week then again the same mode  for the past couple of weeks I haven't been eating  normally for the past month. lately this past week I started eating some what normally when I look in the mirror I can do flexes  with my back  which I couldn't do before  with all that weight  and last Saturday when I checked my weight which was 265 I went into depression mode for couple of days  I refuse to take prozac and any other ones.  I had ct scans and blood work prior to thanksgiving all were normal I don't feel weak,fatigue,no vomiting nausea nothing just my usual constipation issues along gas yes this is kind of tmi but I did notice that my digestive issues was connected to my anxiety levels  I haven't slept normally for the past  couple of weeks  its like for course of days in kinda like fine then into depression mode the next like from1 thought to another or focusing on the same thought non stop. I know this is long but no way I could have explained this in few sentences  has anyone experienced similar issues?

[kconnors]

Hi AnxietyJoe,

Well, first, long or short postings . . . it doesn't matter . . .

To kind of answer your questions . . . I do not find it unusual that you are losing weight because you are not eating . . . during episodes of depression, food is the last thing on my mind and during episodes of anxiety the thought of food, well, trust me, it's not a pretty sight . . ..

The good thing and there are a couple of good things . . . first, you had a lot of tests done and physically you are fine; you do not feel weak, etc. and the other symptoms (gas, etc.) are not unusual because your brain and your gut are connected . . . the GI doc explained it to me and it has to do with the nerve system that connects throughout your body and the GI tract and the brain share some of the transit patterns (oh joy, no?) . . .

Now, you do need to invoke some management techniques to move away from focusing on the same thought non-stop because that is keeping you embedded in your depression/anxiety cycle in my opinion. However, the other good thing is that with your loss of weight, you seem to be able to do flexes  . . . super . . .this leads me to think (and just think) that the weight loss has had a really big positive effect . . . perhaps your back issues were from weight . . . .what I would suggest is the following (1) perhaps a visit to your GP and ask for a diet that will help you to continue to lose weight ---  a proper diet with sufficient fiber will help with some of your GI issues but if you are not used to fiber, start off small and build up and drink plenty of water; (2) if possible, a visit to a professional to help you manage your fixation on your thoughts and guide you with additional management techniques; and (3) a bit of a celebration, AnxietyJoe . . . the weight loss may have been a concern but it is actually a positive thing that you can now manage with a good diet and exercise taking small steps to larger ones and it has led to a decrease in back pain  . . .

Just to answer your question . . .I have experienced the same . . . . I lost about 70 pounds in about 2 months when my Mom was hospitalized with cancer . . . I could not eat or sleep and I would drink 2-3 cans of Ensure a day as the total amount of intake of food . . . . eventually, when I started to eat normally, the weight loss leveled off. When I began dealing with my depression and anxiety through diet, exercise, and meditation (nothing radical) then I began to feel much better physically and mentally . . . .you need to work your way through this episode on your own terms but a little professional help might go a long way . . . .glad to hear that your back pain is gone as I have had it because of anxiety and it is really a b*&^% . . . take care, KC

[AnxietyJoe]

The pain has not fully gone I still get pain from whenever I get anxcious the pain comes on I'm 35 male non smoker and speaking up ensure I bought the 16 pack and in just 3 days I finished about 15 bottles the damn thing is very addictive specially the vanilla flavor when I look at my self have lost fat around my upper back shoulder blade area which freaked me out because I haven't lost this much weight in over a decade  people can still eat and still lose weight from constant worrying. The mind controls on how we function  if a person eats 2500 calories a day and has constantly worried those calories are going to down the drain  we try and try not to worry but some of our minds don't want to help us it's like our own minds are our own enemies  I have also cut down on soda big time and I have cut down on fast food by 99%  this constant negative thinking is my only main problem like I said even though with those results from the ct scans etc.. I'm not satisfied  I had this anxiety issues for a long time but this one hit me hard with the excessive worrying

[angielee]

I always lose weight when anxiety strikes, I lost about 30 lbs a couple years ago. I'm down about 8 lbs now from not having a appetite. I take a multivitamin and eat lots of fruit and veggies, I tend to get real health conscience when suffering from anxiety lol. But I try and look on the bright side I need to lose weight i.....why not .....always try to be positive!

[ncmomma]

I also suffer for the need of reassurance and seems like its never sufficient in convincing my mind everything is ok. As you probably read my anxiety isnt directed toward my health but of my sons. When I have a bad spell my weight/appetite does change but not real drastic typically from 135 to 128 but I have a feeling that it could possibly get worse so I wouldnt say Ive seen the worst case in my possible weight loss. When it hits me you can see it in my weight loss and I look peaked. But yes last thing on my mind when it gets bad is food. I get upset stomach and typically I will force myself to eat something like cereal so that my stomach wont hurt.

[kconnors]

Hi AnxietyJoe,

Know what you are saying about the Ensure . . . I was sick a couple of years ago with an extremely bad virus and I discovered the joy of an Ensure milkshake :) --- vanilla Ensure mixed with frozen chocolate yogurt . . . it was so soothing going down my throat . . . .and it is addictive . . . even after the virus had run its course, I would look for any reason to have my milkshake . . .I had to break the habit as I found that I was using Ensure rather than eating a good solid healthy meal . . . but, if you need the calories, then Ensure will help . . . .you may want to look at all the different types of Ensure . . .we cannot get them all up here in Canada but I saw Ensure with FOS (I think it was) and it seemed to add vitamins and minerals . . . in any case, use Ensure if you need it, but be careful as it can become habit forming . . . .take care, KC

[jeffery5568]

I have lost about 15 pounds because my stomach is always in knots and I can not eat.

[jwall378]

I've lost 25 pounds in 2 years