When people reference weight loss in terms of health, they’re often talking about the physical conditions that can come with carrying excess weight, such as diabetes and hypertension. However, the mental health implications of obesity are as important, if not more so. This is often a bidirectional relationship, where people struggle with their mental health and then with their weight, and vice versa. Let’s dive into that connection and what it means.
One of the most common mental health struggles people with obesity face is major depressive disorder. Society puts a lot of pressure on people, especially women, to be “healthy” and thin. This is pervasive in American culture, and it can lead to negative self-talk and chronic low self-esteem issues for those who don’t fit that mold. Being uncomfortable in your own body can make you feel like something is wrong with you, leading to feelings of depression. Over time, this depression can become chronic and make it difficult to cope.
Depression and anxiety are often interlinked. However, they don’t have to be. In some cases, individuals with obesity can develop social anxiety. Fear of judgment, discrimination and bullying can take over, causing people to avoid social situations or experience extreme discomfort around other people. This can be exacerbated by representations in media and lived experiences of being judged by others while out in public.
In general, suicidal ideation doesn’t have a direct correlation with obesity. However, in cases of extreme obesity or ongoing struggles with losing weight, people can experience these types of thoughts. The isolation, stigma and hopelessness associated with continually trying to lose weight and not making progress can be too much for some to handle. This is one reason why it’s important to recognize symptoms like depression and anxiety in others early on. Seek support when you need it, and if you are in crisis, consider calling a suicide hotline like 988.
It’s common to associate eating disorders with thinness. However, eating disorders are equally prevalent in people with obesity. Binge eating disorder is a common cause of obesity, and it’s an especially difficult one to cope with because it mostly happens in secret. People with obesity often also have bulimia, which can be combined with or occur separately from binge eating disorder. Disordered eating can cause significant weight gain or loss, which levels out once the person returns to their regular habits.
Weight bias and discrimination often lead people with obesity to struggle with mental health and avoid seeking help when they need it. If someone in your life struggles with their weight and with mental illness, it’s important to provide compassionate, non-judgmental support. If this person is you, consider reaching out to others for support. Trusted friends and family members, online support groups, and mental health counseling are all great outlets for finding mental health support. Above all, remember, you are not alone.
