Loss of Appetite in Adults: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

October 27, 2025

Authored by: Veronica Silver, MA

Edited by: Jemma Strain, B.S. Psychology

Food often becomes the marker for the rhythm of our days — starting the day with morning coffee, lunch breaks, and family dinners. So when eating becomes uncomfortable or a chore, that can throw our days off and feel unsettling.

We might not think skipping a couple of meals here and there is much of a problem, but over time, a consistent loss of appetite can start to drain our energy, affect our moods, and possibly be the body’s way of telling us something is wrong.

You may not even notice it at first — maybe thinking, “I’m not hungry right now, it’s no big deal to skip lunch.” But when it starts impacting your daily routine, you may begin to wonder what’s going on. In this article, we’ll explore:

What loss of appetite is and its common symptoms.
What might cause a loss of appetite.
The connection between mental health and hunger.
Treatment for appetite loss.
Answering commonly asked questions about mental health and appetite loss.

What Is Loss of Appetite?

When we talk about the loss of appetite, we’re referring to a diminished desire to eat. It’s not just skipping a meal now and then, but a persistent change in hunger, early fullness, or even a sense of reluctance around food. This lack of desire to eat might look like eating fewer meals, smaller portions, or a feeling that food just isn’t as appealing as it used to be.

Loss of appetite seems to be common among older adults, with reports of appetite loss affecting around 15% to 30% of those in independent living. However, there is not much research on how common appetite loss is among the general population.¹ Although the statistics focus mainly on older adult populations, this phenomenon is not strictly confined to one specific age group and can affect people of all ages

Common Symptoms That May Accompany Appetite Loss

Even if appetite loss feels mild or “not a big deal,” its symptoms can have pretty significant consequences that impact both our physical and mental health. Some of the common symptoms of appetite loss include:

1. Fatigue and Low Energy

Food provides us with energy and nutrients that are important for fueling our bodies so they function properly.² When our bodies aren’t getting enough fuel, energy levels naturally drop. And because of this, we may notice a constant sense of tiredness or difficulty getting through normal daily routines. Over time, low food intake can also deplete essential nutrients, making fatigue feel even worse.

2. Unintentional Weight Loss

If you’ve noticed unintentional weight loss, the loss of appetite might be a crucial factor. Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight within six to twelve months is generally considered clinically significant.³ For adults over 65, weight loss combined with poor appetite can increase the risk of failing and delayed healing.

3. Digestive Issues

Not eating enough or having no appetite can result in stomach issues, such as nausea, discomfort, or an increase in acid reflux. These symptoms may happen because of slowed digestion, changes in hormones, or the interaction between stress and eating habits.

4. Mood Changes

Our mood and appetite are linked by shared brain pathways, involving:⁴

The brain’s reward system
The hypothalamus (a brain region that regulates body processes like hunger, thirst, and temperature)
“Feel good” brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine

When we’re not getting enough food, we might notice our mood dip as well, increasing feelings of irritability, anxiety, or sadness.

5. Sleep Disturbances

Not eating enough can disrupt our normal sleep cycles. Low energy intake and altered hormones like cortisol or ghrelin (the so-called “hunger” hormone) may make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. This, in turn, can worsen fatigue and stress.⁵

6. Difficulty Concentrating

Without enough nutrients, our brains struggle to maintain focus and clarity. If you’ve lost your appetite and aren’t eating enough, you might find it harder to concentrate, recall information, or stay engaged during conversations or tasks.

Appetite loss may seem minor at first, but when combined with symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or digestive distress, it often points to an underlying imbalance in either physical or emotional health.

Loss of Appetite Causes

There can be many reasons for us to lose our appetites — sometimes, there are physical reasons, sometimes emotional, or often a mix of both. Understanding these causes helps identify whether appetite changes are temporary or signal something more serious.

1. Physical and Medical Causes

Many short-term and chronic health conditions can reduce hunger by disrupting how the body processes energy or senses fullness. Common medical or physical causes include:

Infections and illness: When we’re sick with things like colds, flus, or other infections, our appetite often changes due to inflammation, fatigue, or upset stomach.
Chronic diseases: Ongoing illnesses like diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney diseases, or cancer can interfere with metabolism and digestion.⁶
Pain and digestive issues: Conditions such as reflux, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome can make eating physically uncomfortable.
Medication side effects: Antibiotics, antidepressants, and pain medications are frequent culprits behind reduced appetite or altered taste.
Hormonal and aging factors: Hormonal shifts, including menopause or testosterone decline, may reduce hunger signals, while age-related changes can blunt the sense of taste and smell.

Even when these medical conditions are at play, appetite changes often reflect a broader response to stress or emotional strain, making a holistic approach to treatment essential.

2. Mental and Emotional Health Causes

Nutrition and mental health often go hand-in-hand. When the mind is under pressure, the body often responds to that. Some of the mental health causes of appetite loss could be:

Depression-related appetite loss: Research shows that nearly half of people with depression experience a loss of appetite or reduced hunger.⁷ Low motivation, emotional numbness, and changes in serotonin levels can make food feel unappealing.
Anxiety and appetite: During periods of high stress or fear, the body’s “fight or flight” response releases adrenaline and cortisol, temporarily shutting down digestion. Loss of appetite can be one of the physical symptoms of anxiety, causing an upset stomach and making it difficult to eat.
Appetite changes and stress: Chronic stress can confuse hunger cues — some people lose interest in food altogether, while others overeat for comfort. Both patterns are part of the body’s effort to self-regulate under tension.
Grief, trauma, and burnout: Emotional exhaustion, loss, or overwhelm may dull sensations of hunger or make meals feel like one more demand.

Recognizing how anxiety and appetite interact, or how depression and chronic stress influence food intake, helps guide therapy that supports both the emotional and physical sides of nourishment.

3. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Daily routines and surroundings also play a role, such as:

Poor sleep and fatigue: Disrupted rest alters appetite-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin.
Busy schedules or high-stress jobs: Skipping meals or eating on the go can desensitize natural hunger signals.
Substance use: Alcohol, nicotine, and certain recreational drugs suppress appetite and interfere with digestion.
Major life changes: Transitions such as moving, caregiving, or retirement can interrupt routines that normally cue mealtimes.

These factors may seem minor in isolation. However, over time, they can compound, leading to persistent appetite loss and fatigue.

Therapy For Appetite Changes

Recovering from appetite loss starts with identifying what’s causing it, whether that’s a physical condition, stress response, or emotional imbalance. Treatment often works best when it addresses both the biological and psychological sides of the experience. These approaches can be strategies for coping with decreased appetite:

1. Get a Medical Evaluation and Nutritional Support

The first step in addressing appetite loss is ruling out medical causes. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

Bloodwork or diagnostic tests to check for thyroid imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, or metabolic issues.
Medication review to identify whether appetite changes are side effects of current prescriptions.
Nutritional consultation to support the gradual reintroduction of regular meals and hydration.

In some cases, professionals may recommend short-term use of appetite stimulants or supplements, but these work best alongside a broader treatment plan that includes emotional care and stress management.

2. Try Behavioral Therapy to Regulate Mood and Appetite

Therapy plays a key role in understanding the emotional triggers that affect eating. Here are some behavioral therapy approaches that can help manage mood, stress, or anxiety that might be decreasing your appetite:

Behavioral therapy for appetite issues, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps you to recognize negative thinking patterns around food, self-worth, or body image, and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. CBT is especially effective for addressing depression-related appetite loss and eating disorder prevention by reframing thoughts tied to guilt, fatigue, or low motivation.
Behavioral activation encourages small, structured steps toward regular eating, such as setting mealtimes, preparing simple meals, or eating with others, to rebuild healthy habits.
Mindfulness-based approaches support awareness of hunger and fullness cues, reducing the pressure to “force” eating while promoting gentler self-regulation.

These interventions help you reconnect with your body’s signals and approach nourishment as an act of care, not obligation.

3. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Emotional support for appetite loss is about learning to regulate your body’s stress response to help restore balance to the digestive system and appetite hormones. Strategies may include:

Breathing techniques to calm the nervous system and reduce cortisol levels.⁸
Progressive muscle relaxation or grounding exercises to ease tension that affects digestion.

Reducing chronic stress helps the body move out of “fight or flight” mode, allowing normal hunger cues to return.

4. Make Lifestyle and Environmental Adjustments

Simple daily changes can have a big impact on appetite recovery. Some recommended lifestyle changes include:

Eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than forcing large portions.
Staying hydrated, as dehydration can mimic fullness.
Gentle movement, like walking or stretching, to stimulate hunger and improve mood.
Setting calm, screen-free mealtimes to reconnect with the sensory experience of eating.
Seeking social connection through shared meals, which can make food feel more enjoyable and reduce isolation.

Ultimately, treating appetite loss is about restoring your body’s natural rhythms and addressing the underlying emotional or physical imbalances to restore your balance and energy.

Mission Connection: Compassionate Care for Adults Experiencing Appetite Changes

Loss of appetite can feel discouraging — especially when you’ve tried to push through it on your own. But appetite loss is rarely just about food. It’s the body’s way of signaling that something deeper needs care — whether that’s emotional stress, exhaustion, grief, or a physical imbalance.

At Mission Connection, our therapists understand that regaining a healthy relationship with food begins with understanding your whole experience. By using approaches like CBT, somatic therapy, and trauma-focused therapy, we explore what might be contributing to your loss of appetite and reconnect you with your bodily sensations.

If you’ve noticed persistent appetite changes or emotional strain affecting your eating habits, reach out today. Compassionate, professional support can help you restore balance — both at the table and within yourself.

FAQs About Mental Health and Nutrition

1. What Is the Most Common Cause of Appetite Loss?

The most common causes are stress, illness, and emotional strain. In some cases, appetite loss follows infections or medication changes; in others, it’s tied to psychological factors like depression, anxiety, or burnout. Because appetite is influenced by both body and mind, identifying the root cause often requires looking at physical health and emotional well-being together.

2. How Do I Get My Appetite Back?

Getting your appetite back can take time and consistency. The first step might be to identify the underlying cause of the appetite loss. Once you know what might be contributing, then start addressing the concern. This might mean addressing medical conditions or mental health concerns. You can also start with small, frequent meals rather than large portions. Focus on gentle structure rather than the pressure to eat.

3. When Should I See a Doctor for Loss of Appetite?

You might consider talking to a doctor if your loss of appetite lasts for more than two weeks and leads to noticeable weight loss, or if fatigue, dizziness, or persistent sadness accompany the loss of appetite. You should also reach out to a healthcare provider if eating feels physically uncomfortable or emotionally overwhelming. Early evaluation helps identify whether the cause is medical, emotional, or both.

4. How Does Mission Connection Help With Appetite Loss?

Our programs provide compassionate, personalized care that explores how physical, emotional, and behavioral factors interact and contribute to appetite loss. Through our evidence-based approaches, you’ll learn to manage stress, regulate emotions, and rebuild healthy eating patterns.

References

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