Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for sending in your query. There can be many reasons for your stress and its effects. This might have caused your weight gain and irritability. First, it is important to rule out any medical condition that you may be having that may be responsible for your symptoms. Thyroid gland hormonal abnormalities can cause such problems. The imbalance in the level of hormones leading to decreased hormonal levels (hypothyroidism) are known to cause weight gain (by decreasing the body's metabolic rate), fatigue and depression among other symptoms. If you do not have any supporting medical condition then the cause of your stress must be evaluated in detail. Stress can be due to your job and employment, due to personal relationships or due to the weather and climate itself. Stress causes the body levels of cortisol (adrenal hormone) to increase. High cortisol levels diminish levels of testosterone. Low testosterone and high cortisol seem to increase body fat, especially in the midsection, and decrease muscle mass in men. You need to discuss problems relating to stress in detail so that an early solution can be provided and your symptoms can be addressed. Please do not worry, your condition is treatable. I suggest you go to physician and get your clinical examination done. If you do not have any medical conditions then a consultation with a mental health professional is suggested. Hope your query is answered. Dr.A.Rao Kavoor

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Brief Answer: Non-pharmacological treatment can be tried first Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing again. In my opinion, the symptoms that you explain are not severe enough to start medicines right away. Since the low mood or irritability is not severe enough to cause significant problems in your work or your social life, nor is it causing any difficulty in sleep, it can be very well tackled with some healthy life style and non-pharmacological treatment in the form of therapy. Meeting with a psychiatrist or a psychologist for cognitive behavior therapy, problem solving techniques, interpersonal therapy (which will be planned after a detailed history and assessment) etc. in addition with a healthy life style, balanced diet, regular exercise or yoga, will bring tremendous change in your current situation. Gaining weight seems to be causing you lots of distress and a combination of balanced diet and exercise is the ideal way to change it. Medications will not help you much with weight loss. Medications also have varied side effects and are used only when indicated. Do not let the problems progress any further and kindly make time to visit a psychiatrist who will assess you in detail and will prescribe the right management for you. I hope this helps, Dr. A Rao Kavoor

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