If you’ve ever felt judged, dismissed, or misunderstood because of your weight, you’re not alone. For many people, weight is not just a physical issue – it’s emotional, social, and deeply personal. Add in neurodivergence or the recent rise of weight loss medications, and things can quickly start to feel overwhelming or confusing.
This article is here to offer gentle information, not answers or instructions. Think of it as a supportive guide to help you make sense of the bigger picture, and to remind you that your experiences matter.
Understanding Weight Stigma
What is Weight Stigma?
Weight stigma is the negative judgement or discrimination people experience because of their body size. It can show up in obvious ways – comments from others, media stereotypes, or uncomfortable healthcare appointments – and in quieter ways too, such as an inner critical voice that tells you your body is “wrong”.
Over time, this stigma can seep into how you see yourself, affecting confidence, self-worth, and mental health.
Thin Privilege
People in smaller bodies often move through the world with fewer obstacles. They’re less likely to have their health concerns blamed on weight alone, or to be judged before they speak. For people in larger bodies, everyday experiences can involve scrutiny, assumptions, and blame – even when they’re doing their best to care for themselves.
How Weight Stigma Affects Wellbeing
Living with weight stigma can lead to:
- Putting off medical appointments
- Not being taken seriously by professionals
- Anxiety, low mood, or shame
- Feeling responsible or “at fault” for things outside your control
None of this means you’re weak. It means you’re responding to a system that often fails to treat bodies with fairness or compassion.
Neurodivergence and Eating
If you’re neurodivergent – for example, if you have ADHD or are autistic – your relationship with food and eating may look different from what society expects.
You might notice:
- Difficulty recognising hunger or fullness
- Challenges with planning meals or keeping routines
- Eating for stimulation, comfort, or focus
Sensory and Emotional Needs
Food can also be tied to sensory comfort. Textures, tastes, or digestive sensations may strongly influence what feels safe or tolerable to eat. For many people, food becomes a reliable way to manage emotions, stress, or overwhelm.
When social pressure or masking is added to this, the risk of disordered eating patterns can increase – often without anyone noticing.
Blood Sugar, Mood and the Brain
Your brain relies on glucose (sugar) for energy. When blood sugar levels rise and fall sharply, it can affect how you feel and function.
You might experience:
- Mood swings or irritability
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Strong cravings
- Feeling “out of control” around food
These reactions aren’t a lack of discipline – they’re your body trying to restore balance.
Weight Loss Drugs: What You Might Be Hearing About
You may have come across medications like semaglutide, often discussed on social media or in the news. These are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and were originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes. They are now increasingly prescribed for weight loss.
How They Work
These medications can:
- Reduce appetite by acting on the brain
- Help you feel fuller for longer
- Support blood sugar regulation
- Affect dopamine and motivation pathways
Why Some People Find Them Helpful
Many people report benefits such as:
- Less constant thinking about food (“food noise”)
- Improved blood sugar and metabolic health
- Feeling calmer or more focused
- A sense of relief after years of struggle
For some, this mental space can feel life-changing, allowing energy to go into relationships, work, or self-care instead of constant self-monitoring.
Possible Risks and Side Effects
It’s also important to know that these medications are not neutral or risk-free.
Physical Effects
Some people experience:
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
- Reduced nutrition due to eating much less
- Muscle loss or hormonal changes
- Ongoing digestive discomfort
Emotional and Social Risks
There can also be psychological impacts, including:
- Triggering or worsening disordered eating
- Feeling emotionally “flat” if food no longer brings pleasure
- Weight regain after stopping the medication
- Increased vulnerability if food has been a key coping strategy
Social media can sometimes trivialise these risks, creating unrealistic expectations or reinforcing shame.
Thinking About Choice and Autonomy
If you’re considering weight loss medication – or feeling pressure to do so – it’s okay to pause. There is no morally “right” decision here.
Helpful questions might include:
- Why am I considering this now?
- What do I hope it will change for me?
- What support would I need alongside it?
- How does this fit with my values and wellbeing?
Medication, if used, tends to work best when it’s part of wider support – including mental health care, nutrition, rest, movement, and stress management.
The Bigger Picture: Body Image and Health
The growing focus on weight loss drugs can send a powerful message that bodies must change to be acceptable. This can quietly undermine body positivity and self-acceptance.
It’s worth remembering:
- Health does not have one “look”
- Thinness is not the same as wellbeing
- Your body deserves respect at every size
If you’ve felt pressured by doctors, family, or society to pursue weight loss, counselling can offer a space to slow things down and reconnect with your own voice.
A Gentle Closing Thought
Weight, eating, neurodivergence, and medication all sit at the crossroads of biology, psychology, and culture. There is no single solution, and no version of you that needs “fixing” to be worthy of care.
Whatever choices you make, you deserve compassion, clear information, and support that looks at you as a whole person – not just a number on a scale.
Source:
Wright, B. and Smith, L. (2025). Weight Stigma and Weight Loss Drugs [lecture]. Counsellor CPD. Counselling Tutor. [26/01/26].