Is mental health support available for weight loss patients?

Yes. If you’re using weight loss treatment and are struggling with your mental health or need some extra help, we’re here. Visit our mental health support hub to find out how we can support you.You can also reach out through your patient record, or book a consultation with one of our clinical team through our Depression and Anxiety Treatment service, where we’ll find the right support and treatment for you.

You can also check out our free Boots Online Doctor podcast dedicated to managing stress: Your Better Mental Wellbeing, available to all.

For more information on the help available, visit our dedicated mental health support page.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors linked to eating.
• Behavioral Therapy: Focuses on changing learned unhealthy behaviors through new strategies, like self-monitoring and stimulus control.
• Psychotherapy/Counseling: One-on-one sessions to explore deeper emotional issues, stress, anxiety, or depression that influence weight.
• Support Groups: Peer or professionally led groups to share experiences, gain motivation, and connect with others on similar paths (e.g., for bariatric patients).
• Psychiatry: Can help manage co-occurring mental health conditions that affect weight, notes Rula and NCBI Bookshelf. 

• Addresses Triggers: Identifies emotional eating patterns caused by stress, anxiety, or boredom, according to University of Utah Health.
• Manages Emotions: Teaches coping strategies for negative feelings, preventing emotional overeating, says Healthline.
• Improves Body Image: Helps modify unrealistic weight goals and negative self-perception, notes NIH.
• Maintains Weight Loss: Provides tools to prevent relapse and manage challenges after reaching goals. 

• Integrated Programs: Many medical weight loss and bariatric centers include therapy as part of their standard care.
• Online Services: Platforms like Boots Online Doctor offer access to mental health support for weight loss patients.
• Referrals: Your primary care physician or weight loss specialist can provide referrals to behavioral health providers. 

• Mental Health Support for Weight Loss Patients

  Many people find it hard to lose weight, and keeping it off can be even more challenging. It’s important to remember that everyone’s weight loss journey is different. You might have a bad day or week, or your weight will slow down or stay the same for a while (known as a ‘plateau’). Although this is normal, it can leave some people feeling disappointed and discouraged, and sometimes feelings of low mood, depression or anxiety can creep in.

  Find out how you can improve your mental wellbeing and what to do if you need extra help.

   

  To collect your order before Thursday 1st January, order by 3pm on Tuesday 30th December. Any orders placed after this time will be available to collect from Friday 2nd January.

  Store opening hours may change over the Bank Holiday period, so please check the opening times carefully when selecting your Boots store. You can find information about your chosen store here.

   

  Orders for home delivery placed after 3PM on Monday, December 29 will be dispatched from Friday, January 2.

   

  5 ways to improve your mood

  If you’re finding it difficult to cope with your mental health while on your weight loss journey, there are some things you can do to help improve your mood and look after your mental wellbeing.

  1. Be kind to yourself and connect with others.

      

      

      

  2. Eat more mood-boosting foods

      

      

  3. Get active

      

  4. Have a sleep routine

      

      

  5. Keep learning

      

      

  How we can help

  If you’re using weight loss treatment and are struggling with your mental health or need some extra support, help is available.

  You can reach out through your patient record, or book a consultation with one of our clinical team through our Depression and Anxiety Treatment service, where we’ll find the right support and treatment for you.

  You can also check out our free Boots Online Doctor podcast dedicated to managing stress: Your Better Mental Wellbeing.

  More mental health support

  Some other organisations who can help are:

  • Mental Health UK, who can help you find local mental health support groups and services
  • NHS talking therapies, a free service available for support with anxiety and depression
  • Mind, a mental health charity offering information and support for people suffering with mental health crises

  Are you struggling or feel you can’t cope?

  You’re not alone – there are many services and organisations that can support you directly, like the NHS urgent helpline. It’s a 24-hour service for people of all ages.

  If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or are at risk of harming yourself or others, please call NHS 111 and press option 2, speak to your GP, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text Shout on 85258. Please reach out, and remember all these organisations exist to help you.