Depression + Overeating = more depression!

It's sort of funny how depression (or mine at least) makes me even more prone to overeating (bingeing, really) which then really just leads me to be more depressed.

This past spring/summer I lost those extra 20 pounds (65 total) and felt amazing. To feel really great, another 10 pounds wouldn't hurt (I'm currently just over 150, 5'7'') but I'm Italian and love food - so I would be OK staying the weight I'm at.

I'm falling back into old habits, eating late at night, carbs, carbs, carbs (often covered in butter) and not working out.  I think, mostly from what I have read here that the working out helped keep me happier, endorphins and all that. 

Any other ideas on how to try and bring up my mood or keep me from the food? I now keep my kitchen unstocked, which has only backfired into me using my phone for delivery....damn the convenience of New York City!

Any superfoods that help with that kind of stuff? 

have you ever thought about getting on anti-depressants?  i don't know how you feel about "meds" but they've helped me A LOT.  i mean, tons!!

when i finally realized (and accepted the fact) that i was truly depressed and decided to go on an anti-depressant, it gave me the motivation and energy to get to the gym and workout, because i wanted to do a complete "me makeover" (mind and body.)  the first time i went on my meds (Zoloft for me... there are tons of different kinds out there so talk to your Dr. about which one could be right for you) i lost 25 lbs and felt amazing. after a few months i felt like i was happy enough to get off of the pills and see if i could keep being happy and healthy without any medication.  bad idea.  i felt sad all the time again, didn't want to workout, didn't pay attention to what i ate and started gaining the weight back, so i went back on my Zoloft and instantly felt like getting back in shape and since then i've dropped another 7 lbs (in just a few weeks.)

not everyone needs anti-depressants but if it's something you've never tried before you might benefit from them.  just ask your Dr. if they think it would be good for you - and like i said there are MANY different types out there so explore the ups/downs of each one and see what you think would help you.

Yeah, I second getting on meds. Kudos to you for discovering overeating makes you depressed. Once you discover the source of your depression (or maybe not the source, but something that contributes to your depression), you can fight it. If you don't know why you're depressed then you're kind of in a bind. 

Since you know overeating will make you more depressed, then you need to fight it. I know it can be very tough, but you have to develop very strong will power. Try to distract yourself when you start feeling depressed and want to overeat. Try doing something constructive instead. 

Good luck :)

 I would suggest that the OP should try other resources e.g. therapists, support groups, getting to the root of the problem that is causing her depression and try to solve it or making it better. if it doesn't work out, then the pills is the last resort.

that is just my opinion.

I think the weather changes effect a lot of people as winter approaches, there's less sunlight, it's cold out, eating makes so much sense when it gives you energy and makes you feel warm.  I don't suffer from depression, but I know that many people do well with therapy or a combination of herbals or medication.  I agree therapy is probably the first approach.  On medications, beware those that have regimens for withdrawal unless and your doctor are you're certain you need them.

For food, my solution is to limit the amount of stuff I have in the house that does not have nutritional value.  I keep bags of frozen veggies in the freezer (broccoli and artichoke hearts heat in 7 minutes in the microwave) and the contents for stir fries.  I keep frozen pizzas (tiny) and burritos and veggie lasagna for those times (most of the time) when I'm too busy or lazy to cook.  Basically I don't buy chips and ice cream or order in because I know that I'm likely to over do it.  Ordering a large pizza makes so much sense on a cost basis, but I'm likely to eat the whole thing in just a couple of meals.  If I really want to eat out I order for take out so I at least have to make some effort.

Drugs don't have to be a last resort for your depression, unless that's how you feel.  Depression is not always caused by something that can be worked through in a therapy or group session.  Depression can also be caused by chemical imbalances in our bodies that can't be "talked out." 

Go see your doctor about your depression if it's concerning you.  There actually are drugs that can make you feel better, often without all the scary side-effects you hear about.  When your doctor prescribes depression meds, you will typically have a number of follow-up appointments to make sure the meds are working the right way for you and not causing more problems than they're solving.

If you're not interested in drugs, your doctor can also usually give you recommendations for therapists to talk to.  Typically, your doctor will recommend a therapist even if you do decide to use medication.  There may also be other physical issues contributing to your depression that your doctor can run tests for.

When you're depressed, everything can feed into your unhappiness, making it seem that much worse.  From personal experience I encourage you to talk to someone about it as soon as you can.

Good luck.