Do you completely lose your appetite when going through a stressful situation?

[Natasha0717]

For me, my appetite is the first to go. And I have hypoglycemia, so it's not like I can just ignore the problem and not eat. I have to eat, but I'm so scared about whatever is going on (like when my Grandma would be sick in the hospital, etc.)...I just had no appetite, and eating would become this extra chore that I didn't even want to deal with. Lots of force-feeding myself and living off of meal bars just to get by. Because food, when I'm really, really scared or nervous about something, literally tastes like eating rocks, so I have no interest in eating. I've been known for losing 20-30 lbs. during tragedies, effortlessly. I just completely lose my appetite. And then of course I can't sleep....but that's another issue.

Anybody else here lose your appetite when you're super-duper scared about something?

 

[Alex]

It can be either or when you are stressed. Losing your appetite is one of the red flags when there is a problem, and binge eating is on the other scale. It's a natural reaction when the body tenses up or needs comfirt food. I have had both, and it's something you learn to cope with.

I know I must eat something so I try and eat a slice of toast because I know my body will suffer, and if there is a need to binge, I put any snack foods out in the garage so I can't get to them. At the end, you can still be rational and sensible, even if you body says otherwise.

 

[Natasha0717]

It can be either or when you are stressed. Losing your appetite is one of the red flags when there is a problem, and binge eating is on the other scale. It's a natural reaction when the body tenses up or needs comfirt food. I have had both, and it's something you learn to cope with.

I know I must eat something so I try and eat a slice of toast because I know my body will suffer, and if there is a need to binge, I put any snack foods out in the garage so I can't get to them. At the end, you can still be rational and sensible, even if you body says otherwise.

The only time I'd do any type of binge eating, (not really binge eating, just eating a little extra even though I know I'm full) - was when I was bored or a bit sad. Usually it has to be that combo, too. Bored and sad. It almost becomes like an "activity" or something to do. I'll come up with all kinds of different food combinations to try that seem "brilliant" at the time ....like I'll take a bagel that has the works, you know like with the seeds and onions (which I don't even like)...and then fry it up in butter, and melt 3 different types of cheeses on top, so it's like a triple-grilled cheese bagel. But when I'm scared or worried about anything...no time for that. No time for being creative or caring about food at all. I've lived on hospital cafeteria food for weeks while one of my Grandparents would be in the hospital, most of the time I didn't even like it, but I had to eat something just to get by. I miss my Grandparents, heck, I even miss that hospital for some reason. I guess because it will always have a direct connection to them. Thanks Alex

 

[Alex]

@Natasha0717 we can get some strange connections to food, and while health is important, no one can deny the fact that food also conjures up good and bad memories. For instance, I can eat green peppers, but an ex hated them and when I see them, I now hate them!

My dad was in hospital and there was always shepherds pie and now he doesn't like to eat it as much because it reminds him of hospital. I know though, I can feel faint without food, so there were days I would make myself half a mug of soup and sip that so I would have some nutrition. I also think with so many food disorders people try to lose weight and pretend that have lost their appetite.

I put in lots of weight when I was on medication and people were fairly mean and mentioned it to me, and that made me lose my appetite, though it didn't make me lose any weight. If you are on some medication, even if you don't eat the weight gain occurs as the meds alter your metabolism.

 

[AngelaMc]

For me, my appetite is the first to go. And I have hypoglycemia, so it's not like I can just ignore the problem and not eat. I have to eat, but I'm so scared about whatever is going on (like when my Grandma would be sick in the hospital, etc.)...I just had no appetite, and eating would become this extra chore that I didn't even want to deal with. Lots of force-feeding myself and living off of meal bars just to get by. Because food, when I'm really, really scared or nervous about something, literally tastes like eating rocks, so I have no interest in eating. I've been known for losing 20-30 lbs. during tragedies, effortlessly. I just completely lose my appetite. And then of course I can't sleep....but that's another issue.

Anybody else here lose your appetite when you're super-duper scared about something?

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The same thing happens to me Natasha0717, some people eat when they are nervous or depressed, I on the other hand am just like you, I lose my appetite all together. At one point in my life, I was hospitalized until I gained my weight back.

The weird thing is I wasn't trying to lose the weight it seemed to melt off when my anxiety or depression was at its worst. I'm doing better today though, holding my weight pretty good now.

 

[janemariesayed]

No, I don't lose my appetite at all. In fact, it's probably the opposite with me reaching out for the comfort carbs to make me feel better. If I was crying at the time, I wouldn't be able to eat, as I can't eat and cry at the same time! If I was scared out of my wits for any unknown Godforsaken reason then, I think a stiff drink would be appreciated rather than to eat something.

 

[Sweed1]

Only time I have stopped eating normally was in dealing with death of family or friends. Sometimes I find my self craving snack foods I should not eat like candy or potato chips, trying to fill that void of anxiety that hangs over me. I try to only eat when I am hungry but when a cloud of anxiety hits I might go above and beyond what I need to satisfy my hunger pains. I am not very over weight but anxiety makes losing weight harder for me.

 

[tomorrow]

I think it's quite natural to lose appetite when we are going through emotional disturbances like death of a friend or family member, financial crisis, disease etc. When we are in stress our body releases various toxic elements which kill our appetite. We also to depend more on caffeinated drinks or alcohol which again worsen the situation. As per experts a good strategy could be to eat fruits and drink a lot of water till the side effects of stress subsides. Instead of focusing on the issue itself try to focus on what could be done going forward can help a lot. Eating small quantities of food will help you recover at an early stage.

I heard that some people have a lot more than they actually eat when they are stressed out. I think it actually depends on the level of stress. If a person is deeply hurt I don't think he will feel like eating or drinking.

 

[Decentlady]

I am more or lesslike @Alex in here. I guess my apetite usually doesn't get affected but I do find myself eating on time.

Sometimes especially around interviews or viva I feel all hormonal/jittery/butterflies in my tummy and just can't eat while the adrenaline pumps.

 

[MeowsePad]

When I am worried about something, I cannot eat anything at all. I have a very stressful job, and I can rarely eat much at lunch. I do most of my eating when I am at home when I am not under as much stress. Sometimes I go for eight to ten hours without eating anything, which I know is very bad for you.

 

[Concernedgal]

You and

No, I don't lose my appetite at all. In fact, it's probably the opposite with me reaching out for the comfort carbs to make me feel better. If I was crying at the time, I wouldn't be able to eat, as I can't eat and cry at the same time! If I was scared out of my wits for any unknown Godforsaken reason then, I think a stiff drink would be appreciated rather than to eat something.

I are like two pees in a pod . That's why I swear I gain 10-15 lbs during a crisis. Did you know that chewing releases sarotonin? Look it up. That's why people like to chew gum. I love chewing gum too, come to think about it.

 

[janemariesayed]

You and

I are like two pees in a pod . That's why I swear I gain 10-15 lbs during a crisis. Did you know that chewing releases sarotonin? Look it up. That's why people like to chew gum. I love chewing gum too, come to think about it.

That is news to me @Concernedgal I never knew that chewing releases serotonin! Of course chewing gum would be the best idea. Especially sugar free as no calories. I am going to try it. Gum is something I have never really bothered with. We wern't allowed gum as children growing up. My ex-wicked-stepmom would always moan about how chewing gum was a devil sweet because children would stick it all over the radiators at her work. What a good idea though!