‘Is Stress Causing My Rapid Weight Loss?’ — Ask Dr. Harry Fisch

Ben, 25, has suddenly started to lose a lot of weight. He is about 5’10”, and weighed about 175 pounds, but has recently dropped almost 15 pounds in the last few weeks. He’s not trying to lose weight and his appetite hasn’t changed much. Ben has been having issues at work with his boss and feels very overworked.

Is Ben losing weight because of stress or is there something else wrong?

Dr. Fisch's advice:

One of the most common causes of weight loss is stress. When people are stressed, they tend to either overeat or under-eat.

There are other possibilities, too. Substance abuse is a possibility. People take substances to deal with stress, which could cause him to eat less and lose weight. There’s also the possibility he has celiac, a disease that damages the intestine and keeps the body from absorbing the important nutrients in food.  He could also have an abdominal disorder.

Ben should really consult a physician. Drastic weight loss isn’t natural or healthy and could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Dr. Harry Fisch is a board certified urologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University.