Depression and Low Mood
Worsening mood or loss of interest in life.
Why it happens
Depression and losing interest in things you usually enjoy can happen during the rewiring of our brain. Remember: for years, food was your primary dopamine hit. When the medicine mutes that “reward,” your brain might feel a little flat, as if the color has been drained from the room.
How to prevent it
We are going to work on building healthy happiness habits that increase not only dopamine, but also oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, which regulate the brain and create healthy channels to improve mood.
How to treat it
This isn't just “in your head”, it’s a neurochemical shift. This is why we are building our “Joy List” and seeing a therapist. We are going to treat mood changes proactively with therapy and counseling.
When to call a doctor
If mood changes interfere with daily activities, or if you have thoughts of self-harm or worthlessness, call your doctor.
When to go to the ER
- Inability to swallow or breathe.
- Severe, persistent vomiting (dehydration).
- Severe abdominal pain that makes you curl into a ball.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
- If you feel like you are having a medical emergency.
None of this is medical advice. It is educational material drawn from FAT BITCH: Killing the Willpower Myth by Cat Clark, and it does not replace your prescriber, your pharmacist, or your actual doctor. If something here does not match what your care team told you, go with your care team and bring this along to the conversation.