How Depression causes Overeating

Depression and overeating go together and science has shown us why via brain imaging, there are over 20 million people in the United states who live clinically depressed and this will have a very large impact on your diet. How much you eat is directly related to your emotional well being, with this information from researchers it is clear that willpower is a failed strategy for many people. Depression actually can cause overeating and this is something that is not controlled by will power. If you are depressed and blaming yourself for lack of control, don't, because will power does not stop the kind of overeating.

Why you eat more when depressed

Brain imaging is giving us a wonderful insight into how the human body works, we must understand that the body is holistic, the brain is involved in every bodily function that occurs, when it comes to appetite the brain is in control of how much we eat. Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CR-CHUM) and the university's Faculty of Medicine have discovered that how much we eat is directly related to our mental health, those who are depressed may be “forced” to eat more(by the brain). The brain does this so as to release feel good hormones to stop the depression. The problem is when the food “high” wears off you are depressed again.

"In addition to causing obesity, rich foods can actually cause chemical reactions in the brain in a similar way to illicit drugs, ultimately leading to depression as the 'come-downs' take their toll," explain lead researcher, Dr. Stephanie Fulton.

Basically the brain releases “feel good” hormones when you eat say “Cake or Ice Cream”, in fact fatty foods help bring your mood up if you are depressed, the problem is you create a cycle of Depressed---Fatty food---Happy----Depressed again

This eating cycle is what so many depressed people find themselves on. Depression causes overeating because the brain creates a craving for fatty foods to boost your mood, the downside is that this can lead to obesity,diabetes and other health problems.

How to break the cycle? See here Stop Depression overeating Diet