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<p>With those symptoms, I wouldn’t call the weight loss unexplained. Even though you are trying to eat more, I suspect you are eating much less. Are you depressed or anxious?</p>
<p>sistersunnie, if I were in your shoes, I’d go have a soft-service ice cream with the chocolate sauce that hardens on top.</p>
<p>And maybe a brownie and a cup of tea to finish it off. :)</p>
<p>Get out the worm-o-meter…</p>
<p>Seriously, you should be relieved that there is no physical cause. Have you lost excess weight, or are you getting too skinny?? If the latter, you do need to look for ways to keep your weight up.</p>
<p>In my experience, eating usually does the trick!</p>
<p>Sistersunnie - as you may remember, our beloved friend “lance” died shortly after your husband. The four of us were extremely close and I know his wife has not recovered. The rest of her friends may think she is doing okay, but DH and I know better. She has done all the right things, attended support meetings, made friends with other widows, etc., but saying that she misses her husband doesn’t begin to describe how she feels. Like you, she has two young adult children and her oldest got married several months after “lance” passed away. There are so many good things in her life - but she is without the love of her life. </p>
<p>I know dinnertime is tough for her. She comes home from work, the house is quiet, and unless she has something planned (which she tries to do), she just wants to get in her jammies and crash. I know she eats something at dinner, but she is not making nearly the kind of meals she was before, or running to the market to get good bread or some other treat. </p>
<p>If any of this is sounding familiar, all I can say is that following Very Happy’s advice is probably the way to go. You may need to just add some calorie rich snacks at odd times to fill in the gap. Thinking you are going to start making meals may be asking too much of yourself. Maybe I am being presumptuous, but I just can see how hard it is for my dear friend.</p>
<p>Sistersunnie - I took a cooking class at our local community college for a few months, it was fun socially to do something different, get out, learn something new and we got to eat everything we made which was the best part!</p>
<p>Worm o meter… YUCK! Shudder! You just had to go there Ellemenope! </p>
<p>Wouldnt say too skinny, like I said I had some to lose. But thinner than I have ever been and its still coming off. But the doctor doesnt seem concerned and the tests were all normal. I guess its time to keep a food journal and add some chocolate. Truthfully even chocolate doesnt appeal these days…</p>
<p>Guess its the grief diet…it works but I dont recommend it. </p>
<p>Thanks for your comments and concern.</p>
<p>Sistersunnie, weight loss can be a symptom of depression. If you have other symptoms of possible depression – difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, low energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or helplessness, loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable sad, anxious or “empty” feelings and/or suicidal thoughts or feelings, I would suggest seeing a mental health professional to determine if you are suffering from depression in addition to grief. Grief can certainly cause many of these things, but sometimes it can also precipitate a depressive episode which can be treated.</p>