Increased appetite

What is important to know

Appetite is regulated by many factors: sleep quality, level of physical activity, hormonal state, emotional tone, eating habits and medications.

In some depressive states, appetite may not decrease, but, on the contrary, increase. A person may crave food more often, especially sugary or high-calorie foods, and notice that eating temporarily relieves tension or emotional discomfort.

Increased appetite can also occur with chronic sleep deprivation, severe stress, certain endocrine and metabolic conditions, and while taking certain medications.

How does increased appetite manifest itself?

A person may notice that:

the feeling of hunger occurs more often than before;

portions have become larger;

saturation occurs later;

there is a desire to eat soon after eating;

it becomes more difficult to stop while eating;

snacking occurs more often;

increased cravings for sweets or high-calorie foods;

food is used to reduce anxiety, boredom, tension or sadness;

episodes of overeating occur;

body weight increases.

What to pay attention to

When did your appetite increase and how does it differ from the usual state?

Whether the change occurred gradually or suddenly.

Is there a constant feeling of physical hunger or does the desire to eat without it appear more often.

Has your weight changed?

Is the increased appetite accompanied by thirst, frequent urination, weakness, or other physical symptoms.

Are there episodes of loss of control over the amount eaten.

Is eating associated with anxiety, sadness, boredom or internal tension?

Have your sleep and physical activity levels changed?

Whether there is a depressed mood, anxiety, apathy or other emotional changes.

Whether the symptom began after a new medication was prescribed or its dosage was changed.

Have there been strict diets or significant dietary restrictions before?

What can help

It is useful to observe for some time not only the amount of food, but also the context: when hunger occurs, how physical it is, what emotions are present and what happens after eating.

Eating regularly, getting enough sleep, and not being overly restrictive can help stabilize your appetite.

If food is often used as a primary way to cope with stress, anxiety or depression, it is important to gradually expand your repertoire of emotional regulation techniques.

If an increase in appetite appears after starting drug therapy, you should not discontinue the drug yourself - it is better to discuss this with the doctor who prescribed it.

When to ask for help

Contact your doctor if your increased appetite persists, becomes severe, or is accompanied by a rapid change in body weight.

Medical evaluation is especially important if severe thirst, frequent urination, weakness, significant weight fluctuations, or other physical symptoms are present simultaneously.

If your increased appetite is accompanied by episodes of uncontrollable overeating, intense feelings of guilt after eating, intentional fasting, vomiting, or other compensatory behaviour, you should consult a mental health professional and doctor.

If a change in appetite is combined with a persistent decrease in mood, loss of interest, anxiety or other severe mental symptoms, consultation with a specialist is also necessary.