Why might you experience a loss of appetite with anxiety?

Periods of stress and feelings of nervousness can impact your appetite. Anxiety disorders can have the same effect, even leading to weight fluctuations.

Generalized anxiety disorder triggers your fight-or-flight response, which allows you to respond quickly in the face of danger.

Traumatic events can trigger this evolutionary response that can affect bodily systems, slowing digestion and impacting appetite.

Causes

Exactly why you lose your appetite during periods of stress depends on how your anxiety manifests.

Some anxiety symptoms can worsen appetite loss, including:

• nausea
• tense muscles
• knot in the stomach
• heart palpitations
• headache

These symptoms often mask hunger cues and prevent you from being in tune with your hunger. If you’re feeling nauseous, it can be hard to tell if you’re hungry or not.

Appetite loss is a natural response to anxiety. When you’re so focused on what’s making you anxious, it’s easy to forget about daily tasks, including eating.

According to research, stress also triggers the release of hormones that may suppress your appetite, including the adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Treatment

Nearly 20% of adults in the United States receive an anxiety disorder diagnosis each year. You’re not alone, and treatment is available.

Several medications can help manage symptoms of anxiety.

Short term

Benzodiazepines can help with anxiety but aren’t suitable for long-term use because of the risk of dependence. Dependence can occur when the body becomes used to a drug but then experiences withdrawal when drug use stops.

These medications include:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• diazepam (Valium)
• lorazepam (Ativan)

Long term

Healthcare professionals may prescribe the following medications for long-term use:

These medications include:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• tricyclic antidepressants, like clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Silenor), and amitriptyline (Elavil)
• buspirone

Your doctor may recommend taking these medications for 6–12 months after you notice your symptoms subside and you have learned effective coping techniques from talk therapy.

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, involves talking with a mental health professional about your symptoms. They can help you unpack and better understand your anxiety symptoms and what may be causing them.

They can also help you learn strategies to manage symptoms and prevent them from negatively impacting your daily life.

Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. CBT can teach you to recognize and modify negative thought patterns that contribute to feelings of anxiety.

Lifestyle measures

If you experience a loss of hunger with anxiety, the following tips may help you regain your appetite:

• Create a schedule: Try scheduling each meal of the day to help you remember to eat. Consistent eating reminders may increase the likelihood that your hunger cues will return.

• Find foods you can tolerate: When your anxiety level is high, some foods may be more appealing than others. Keep a note of what these are so you can turn to them when you lose your appetite.

• Keep active: Exercising may help you to regain your appetite. Try going for a walk or doing yoga. Keep moving and distract yourself from your anxiety.

• Ensure you’re getting enough sleep: Sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy appetite and metabolism.

When should you speak with a doctor?

If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of anxiety that are severe and are affecting your appetite, speak with a healthcare professional about the treatment options that may work best for you.

There’s no shame in seeking help for your anxiety. Treatment is available and can help you manage your symptoms and regain your appetite.

Summary

If you have anxiety, you may notice that it impacts your appetite. For some, high anxiety levels can limit appetite and even lead to weight loss.

It may help to schedule your meals, stock up on foods you can tolerate when your appetite is low, and stay active.

If you frequently experience a dip in appetite with worsening anxiety symptoms, consider speaking with a medical professional. They may prescribe medications to help you feel more like yourself or recommend talk therapy.

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