3. Appetite Changes.
Another common sign of depression is a decrease in appetite or complete loss of it. However, it does not mean a lack of hunger. The body has an ongoing need for nutrients, but food simply doesn’t seem appealing anymore. It might even be necessary to force ourselves to eat despite having absolutely no desire (or energy) to do so.
On the other hand, a depressed person can suffer from overeating, caused by the feeling of sadness. In this case, food will be used as a coping mechanism. It might seem as though the process can temporarily raise the mood, but once the good feeling is gone, we’re likely to reach for more food to experience yet another rise. [3]
It has been found that people suffering from depression and/or anxiety during a long period of time are more likely to be overweight and diagnosed as obese. [6]