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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
I don't desire to identify with the symtomology of anorexia but I honestly only feel normal when I am hungry. Its the only time that my brain shuts the f*ck up and decides to work properly.
Linakdge
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2008, at 21:24:22
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
Link are you eating? I know force myself to eat as no taste but find the food helps. Strange. In what way does your brain make noise so to speak? Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on December 10, 2008, at 21:58:38
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
> I don't desire to identify with the symtomology of anorexia but I honestly only feel normal when I am hungry. Its the only time that my brain shuts the f*ck up and decides to work properly.
>
> LinakdgeDoesn't have to do with anorexia. Depression can cause people both to not want to eat at all, or use food as a source of comfort, thus allowing you to "feel better" loosely using the term.
The insulin/sugar rush from food might also change things, depending on what sorts of foods make you feel this way.
-- Jay
Posted by Bob on December 10, 2008, at 23:08:19
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
> I don't desire to identify with the symtomology of anorexia but I honestly only feel normal when I am hungry. Its the only time that my brain shuts the f*ck up and decides to work properly.
>
> LinakdgeI often have a problem where I feel ok when I'm moderately hungry, but then feel worse when I get very hungry. Then I eat and feel better, but if I can't stop until I'm too full, and then I start to feel really, really bad - bloated, weighed down, and extremely fatigued. It's FUBAR.
Posted by seldomseen on December 11, 2008, at 7:44:11
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
I think you might be on to something there. Some of the smartest people I know limit their calorie intake to 600-800 calories a day.
First, there is the obvious dulling of the senses, mind etc... after eating. Glucose levels blah blah blah. I experience that too, but might encourage you to look at what you are eating.
Second, when we are slightly hungry, I think we are evolutionarily programmed to become more alert, aware of our surroundings and just faster in responding to things. We needed to be ready to detect and acquire food.
Third, I also think that the fact that you actually get hungry distinguishes this situation from depression-induced anorexia. With depression, there is no drive to eat.
Interesting post, Link.
Seldom
Posted by B2chica on December 11, 2008, at 8:00:34
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
my old pdoc was really good about this with me. he was big on holistic med. and that included good diet but also when i ate. he always told me that the amount of blood sugar could effect depression, so he always wanted me to eat 4-5 times a day to maintain levels. must admit i wasnt very good at doing that when i was seeing him but am taking his advice now and i dont know for sure that its helping but i know i dont think i have the mood shifts when i can do this.
Posted by raisinb on December 11, 2008, at 11:10:25
In reply to I only feel normal when I am hungry, posted by linkadge on December 10, 2008, at 18:30:05
This is an interesting topic. I used to be anorexic and I got slightly addicted to the "rush" that comes from being hungry. I forget whether it's dopamine, endorphins, adrenaline, or what, but they have done studies that show that part of many eating disorders is such a physiological addiction.
When I am very depressed, I do get hungry, but I feel so incredibly futile that I have no desire to eat. There's something wrong with the reward system of my brain, I think--I get no pleasure from eating, so I don't want to, even though I can hear my stomach growling and feel dizzy from low blood sugar.
Not that any of this may apply to you, but I think how differently emotions, thoughts, and brain chemistry affect our weight and relationships with food. I've always thought telling people struggling with weight gain or loss--"just eat" or "you have to learn to diet and exercise" is way, way too simplistic. It's like CBT for major depression--great in theory, if you could get yourself into any kind of mind frame where you can control stuff like that.
Food, hunger, and emotional states are incredibly individualistic and complicated relationships.
Posted by desolationrower on December 11, 2008, at 14:33:52
In reply to Re: I only feel normal when I am hungry » linkadge, posted by raisinb on December 11, 2008, at 11:10:25
Not having goals is linked with depression. Even if its just getting dinner. People with something driving them keep active and focused on things other than their emotions.
OR...calorie restriction/fasting in mice activates hypocretin neurons, like modafinil, has an antidepressant effect.
-d/r
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