Appetite Changes
If you find yourself experiencing appetite changes you may be suffering from one of the following conditions:
Depression
Depression is one of a range of moods a person feels that can vary from feeling down as a result of having a bad day, to a debilitating feeling of sadness that may overwhelm you and prevent you from performing normal daily tasks. Depression can occur in people of all ages and the episodes can last from a few days to several weeks or months. It is thought that young adults experience depression more frequently, and that it affects twice as many women as men.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes one's mood to fluctuate from feeling down, or depressed, to feeling up, or overexcited and manic. There are several types of bipolar disorder which are characterized by how severe the mood swings are and how often they occur, or cycle. It is important to realize that while moods vary in everyone, in patients with bipolar disorder mood changes are exaggerated and they interfere with relationships, job performance, and general well being. Although at times more controversial, children can also be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Obesity
Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. The most common measure of obesity is the body mass index or BMI. A person is considered overweight if his or her BMI is between 25 and 29.9; a person is considered obese if his or her BMI is over 30.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight. They severely limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin.
Anorexia affects both the body and the mind. It may start as dieting, but it gets out of control. You think about food, dieting, and weight all the time. You have a distorted body image. Other people say you are too thin, but when you look in the mirror, you see a fat person.