I rarely lose my appetite

I often hear that depression leads to loss of appetite but for me it just generates self destructive eating. Mania is supposed to reduce appetite too, but I find that in a state of lowered inhibitions and high compulsions I once again trend towards eating for pleasure rather than nutrition. I do sleep a lot less with mania and am more tired with depression though. I binge when I am depressed and I eat sporadically (but crappy food) when I am hypomanic or manic.

Does anyone else find that their appetite /eating behavior isn't the way it is "supposed" to be? In fact, I know my meds are working and I am doing okay when I can eat sanely for weeks at a time.

I am a woman and currently probably 15-20 lbs overweight but I have always had trouble with food and eating disorders. I've been everywhere from 100+ pounds overweight to 30+ under in my lifetime. Could it just be my relationship with food that makes it different for me maybe?

Same here. I overeat when I am depressed. Part of it due to staying home more and lack of inactivity to distract me from the binges. I never seem to have a lack of appetite, in mania or depression.

Actually, depression causes one just to change eating habits, which could be eating less or more. Eating more is commonl, and what I tend to do as well unless I am practically catatonic. So not to worry, you are quite normal to eat more when depressed.

Your weight swing is more concerning. I think that might signify a food relationship issue which I think all of us overweight people have. For me, I eat when I am stressed, board, depressed, happy and in social settings. I am trying hard to deal with those things right now and have found that I have traded one semi-addiction (food) for another. Now I spend too much time on the internet!

Oh yes, I have a lifelong messy relationship with food. I kicked cigarettes two years ago and the next rest of my life will be working on that food part. Quitting smoking is easier in some ways, you just don't smoke. ;) (I make light of it but it was very hard, smoked for almost 20 years).

Thanks for the encrouragement, I appreciate it!

I have an insatiable appetite mostly due to medication. It makes my depression much worse because I worry about gaining weight. My healthy weight is about 115 and I have been up to 205 because of binging just to try to satisfy my hunger. Also I have PMDD which does not help in the least with either. I can say that fish oil has helped me a lot to bring me out of the depression and therefore help me control my appetite. It also helps with the mood swings and lessens my PMDD symptoms. I am a big advocate for the addition of fish oil especially when medication doesn't seem to help too much and the side effects from medication are hard to deal with also.