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Can anxiety cause weight loss?

Symptoms of anxiety can lead to changes in your metabolism, decreased food intake, increased body movement, changes in bowel functioning, and increased muscle tension, all potentially leading to weight loss.

choosingtherapy.com - Anxiety & Weight Loss: Causes & How to Cope - Choosing Therapy

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How to Manage Anxiety & Weight Loss

There are several ways to manage anxiety and weight loss. Some are action-oriented like taking charge of your diet and exercise, while others are more mental, such as monitoring your caffeine intake or remembering to pause and take mindful breaths.

Ways to manage anxiety weight loss include:

Eat regularly: You might need to set reminder alarms to eat regularly since it can be so easy to forget to eat when your appetite is decreased. Some foods can actually help decrease anxiety more than others, so try playing around in the kitchen with recipes. 3 You might need to set reminder alarms to eat regularly since it can be so easy to forget to eat when your appetite is decreased. Some foods can actually help decrease anxiety more than others, so try playing around in the kitchen with recipes. Yoga: yoga can decrease anxiety by taking you out of your anxious thoughts and into a calm, present moment. Yoga can help decrease muscle tension and enhance your mood. 4 yoga can decrease anxiety by taking you out of your anxious thoughts and into a calm, present moment. Yoga can help decrease muscle tension and enhance your mood. Modest exercise: moving your body releases neurotransmitters that help your body naturally decrease stress and build resilience. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym; start small by choosing something you enjoy such as walking, biking, or dancing. 5 moving your body releases neurotransmitters that help your body naturally decrease stress and build resilience. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym; start small by choosing something you enjoy such as walking, biking, or dancing. Decrease stress: anxiety is typically an internal experience, while stress is often a result of external events. If possible, delegate certain tasks, lower external influences, and decrease your stress. Try journaling, taking more frequent breaks, or just stepping outside into sunlight for a few minutes. anxiety is typically an internal experience, while stress is often a result of external events. If possible, delegate certain tasks, lower external influences, and decrease your stress. Try journaling, taking more frequent breaks, or just stepping outside into sunlight for a few minutes. Breathing exercises: whether you notice it or not, you likely take quick, shallow breaths using your chest when you’re anxious, resulting in less oxygen intake. Try pausing a few times a day and performing slow, deep, mindful breathwork from your belly. 6 whether you notice it or not, you likely take quick, shallow breaths using your chest when you’re anxious, resulting in less oxygen intake. Try pausing a few times a day and performing slow, deep, mindful breathwork from your belly. Monitor caffeine intake: caffeine is a stimulant, and the effects of it can mimic anxiety symptoms. Stimulants activate your fight or flight system, perpetuating the anxiety cycle. 7 caffeine is a stimulant, and the effects of it can mimic anxiety symptoms. Stimulants activate your fight or flight system, perpetuating the anxiety cycle. Improve sleep hygiene: stress and anxiety can change your sleep and provoke insomnia, which in turn increases anxiety. Limiting light and noise before bed and having a consistent bedtime routine can support healthy sleep habits. 8

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stress and anxiety can change your sleep and provoke insomnia, which in turn increases anxiety. Limiting light and noise before bed and having a consistent bedtime routine can support healthy sleep habits. Go to the doctor: sometimes anxiety is caused by hormonal imbalances, so getting bloodwork done to rule out other causes is a good first step. For instance, decreased thyroid output can result in weight loss and anxiety. 9

How to Be Safe With Anxiety & Weight Loss

Given western society’s focus on thinness as the ideal, weight loss may sound positive. However, any weight loss should result from healthy levels of exercise and diet changes rather than from nausea, low appetite, or constant fidgeting. If you notice that you’re losing weight despite no obvious or intentional changes, pay attention. Too much weight loss for your body could result in long-lasting health changes.

When to Seek Professional Help

When anxiety begins affecting your gastrointestinal health, it’s time to seek help. If you’re experiencing anxiety to a degree where your weight can no longer be maintained, listen to your body and reach out for help. Most therapists will also want you to see your doctor to rule out any physical causes for anxiety and weight loss. Anxiety-induced nausea and weight loss can become problems that demand professional treatment, which might involve a team, including your regular doctor, a dietician, and a therapist. Choosing a therapist can be intimidating, but a free therapist directory can help you filter to find a licensed therapist specifically trained in therapeutic modalities to reduce anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Make sure you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose and that they’re able to explain the anxiety treatments they recommend.

Final Thoughts

If you notice anxiety-induced weight loss, talk with your doctor to make sure the rate at which you’re losing weight is safe and rule out any physical causes. Speaking with a professional therapist can also help reduce anxiety, as they are trained to help uncover causes of anxiety and find the best treatment for it. There is always hope for regaining a sense of control over your body’s health.

choosingtherapy.com - Anxiety & Weight Loss: Causes & How to Cope - Choosing Therapy

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