Hey guys, quick question. I'm having a pretty hard time eating & sleeping since Laura left. It's getting better with the sleep, as I am now alternating insomniac nights with pretty good nights of sleep. With eating, however, I am having a really hard time. I noticed that yesterday, when I went out with friends, I ate a pretty good lunch. Alone, it's like choking it down, often feeling like I'm going to hurl with every bite. All I've had for breakfast recently is oatmeal, and I've been eating 0-1 other meals per day. Do you guys that have suffered from depression have any suggestions for eating tips, comfort food, or anything like that? I think that finding people to eat with may end up being the most helpful thing right now, but would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Colin

PS: Really, I'm handling this as well as I can . . . I'm seeing people, I'm working, I'm trying to be responsible for everything around the house - it's the physical and emotional symptoms of my loss that I am having the largest problem with right now.

tuna and mashed potatoes is surprisingly good. as is tuna with Easy Mac.

Maybe it's not the food you're eating but where you're eating it that's causing problems.


If this is the case, eating out more often instead of at home may help.

This is possibly correct. I'm opening up a new bank account today, so after I get my budget in order I may be able to eat out more often.

Yeah, changing your setting is an idea. Maybe supplement pills or shakes just to ensure you're getting basic nutrition even if you're not that hungry?

Yeah, this has been working, too, except that a lot of places shakes & smoothies are more dessert food than health food.

(colins rule)

Dont force it.

or dont even concentrate on meals.. eat smaller things throughout the day..

perhaps the idea of a meal that you use to have with her, subconsciously is to hurtful to do right now, so therefore it becomes an ordeal...

link

Right, I'm talking protein powders or Spiru-tein that you can buy at GNC and whip up at home. You're in a college town, so there's gotsta be decent juice bars around as well.

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Nah, I don't agree. When I was going through a pretty massive depression (similar to what Colin is going through), I could barely eat anything and that was eating out with friends. I can remember once going to Wendy's and getting a 99 cent burger, and maybe eating a quarter of it. And I honestly felt full and couldn't eat anymore. I lost 20 pounds in a month. I also had the insomniac thing too.... reading constantly, around the clock, never being able to fall asleep.

I'm not sure what to tell you aside from the fact that things will get better; I just can't tell you when.

Soup has gotten me through the good times and the bad.

Barring that, I've heard that crystal meth will take care of your appetite pretty well, though its never really been my scene.....

No, unfortunately, I've never had a problem with eating. Even got a fortune cookie fortune once, that said, "You will never go hungry".

I will still suggest: force yourself. Food doesn't always have to be an event, just think of it as fuelling your car. Go to Subway or something. It's nuitrition. On these times that you are forcing yourself, don't worry too much about variety -- you're not going to enjoy it much anyway, just get the same thing every time.

These are good as well if you're hungry, dont feel like eating but just need something:

Can't offer a whole lot of advice- when my 1st wife was pregnant, I went through a jag of not being able to keep down anything but fried chicken and beer for about 2 months. Which, on reflection, is not really too bad of a diet.

If you're really having an issue with it to the point of malnourishment, get some Ensure.

I suffer the opposite problem in terms of eating (that explains the extra pounds) but as for the insomniac thing I suggest a fairly simplistic tip - make sure you're tired at bedtime.

Get up early (I get up at 6am everyday no matter what) stay active during the day and get out the house (I don't know how much spare time you have but I always find a long walk in the fresh air does you good, I'll go on 10-15 mile walks at the drop of a hat) just do something. Obviously your not going to be tired if you've sat around all day.

I also always drink warm milk before I go to bed - I think it really helps. Oh and keep to a regular sleep pattern once you start to manage things abit better.