Unexplained Weight Los****

Hi all:

I think I suffer with anxiety and depression. My eating habits are not that good. But, I am not starving myself or anything like that, but, have been noticing that I look like I am losing weight, wasting away. Although, I do not consistently get 2000 cals a day. I am 6' 2" male and only weigh about 125. Can anxiety/depression cause this? I just had a lot of blood tests done, which came back normal, so, I am not sure what would be the next "tests" that should be done to find out why I look horrible. I am nervous that this may be cancer or something.

Appreciate comments.

Thanks..

Hi BR and welcome to the A/P.:)

A man your age and size actually needs a minimum of 2,500 calories as day...

...anything less, and you will be consistently losing weight.

It can be a challenge to sustain/gain weight while anxious/depressed, but it can be done.

Supplementing (not substituting) meals with nutritional shakes such as Ensure or Boost will provide some easily ingested calories and nutrients that will help you gain.

As M.D. mentioned above...a malabsorption issue could also be to blame...so looking into something of this nature would be a good idea. Do you have frequent diarrhea? This would be an indication that the food you are taking in is not being absorbed in the intestine...

...but most likely, if you are only at 2,000...and sometimes under this...you are simply undereating.

Hoping this helps. For great anxiety self help ideas, please see our Resources...and post with us anytime!

Scaredy Cat

Thank you both for your comments. I really appreciate it. I do not understand why I do not see more people walking around who are underweight, I mean, eating 2,000 cals+ per day seems like a lot of effort and very expensive. Are people just eating fast food everyday?

Hi

Yes anxiety and depression can cause weight loss.

I agree with what the others have said but understand it is difficult to find the correct diet.

Hibee