Considering antidepressents but scared about weight gain
I am considering antidepressants for anxiety and depression but I am scared of the side effects especially the weight gain. I would like to stay at my current weight because my self-esteem would be gone if I turn into an overweight person. I heard it slows your metabolism and makes you more hungry. I can control my appetite but I can’t control my metabolism. I am confused about the stuff I read on the Internet. Most of it sounds so negativ. I would like to know from peoples experience with antidepressants. Did you gain lots of weight even with exercise and eating normal ? Would you recommend taking it ? Is Wellbutrin a better choice because I heard it doesn’t make you fat ? I am confused !
Weight Gain on Antidepressants
I recently went on Lexapro, which is an antidepressant which also treats anxiety. It has been 4 months now and I have LOST weight since going on this medication. I take better care of myself in general, exercising (joined a gym), eating well, making sure I get enough sleep, because I am not anxious and depressed anymore! I don’t want to sound like a commercial for the drug companies, but I have to say, I should have done it years ago. I am myself again. When you are depressed, you are in pain and you see life through a veil of pain. I was surprised when I started on Lexapro to find that it didn’t affect my ”mind” so much as it my body. I felt a wonderful sense of well-being, which didn’t feel like being drugged at all. My understanding of the science is that Lexapro is an re-uptake inhibitor which means that it keeps the seritonin in my cells longer (instead of getting reabsorbed by my body) so it can work to calm uplift longer. Not all the therapy in the world (well if I had all the time and money to engage thus maybe) could have given me the boost I needed to thrive. I believe now my depression was organic, in other words it was in my body. I am now as brave and energetic a person as I need. Before, I had to work so hard to struggle through the days. And my relationships all suffered accordingly. I still sometimes have thought processes like a depressed and anxious person, but they don’t stick, because of the overall sense of well being. Good luck in your decision. If you feel better, you can and will be able to take better care of yourself. anon
I am currently taking an antidepressant for postpartum depression. Obviously, as I am postpartum, I have baby weight to lose, and weight gain was also a concern for me. My personal experience has been a major increase in appetite (which I think is not really an ”increase,” it’s actually an appropriate appetite as during my depression I had a severe lack of appetite). It has made me need to be careful in my food choices, but I continue to lose baby weight at about the same rate I did before the medication. Even if I did gain weight, my outlook, mood and parenting are so much better now, I’d continue taking the antidepressant. I hope that doesn’t happen, but it has made an enormous difference for me. P The bottom line is, if you need medication, you need it regardless of a potential side effect. You need to choose the one that works for you, not the one that might not effect your weight. It is more important to be ”happy and chubby” than thin and depressed.
Good luck. (Not) Fat and Happy
I have taken two different types of antidepressants - old school tricyclics and s new modern brand name ”Celexa”. I did not experience weight gain with either of these medications. Celexa was so much better than the old antidepressant and I had many less side effects in general. If your doctor has suggested that you use a medication to treat depression, I would recommend it. You will feel worlds better about your situation and be able to cope with life more realistically. Anonymous
I have tried different antidepressants over the years, and it’s really important to remember that everyone responds differently to them-but the truth is I have gained weight on them, I think they do affect both my appetite and metabolism. Many people I know have gained weight on them. I am currently trying to lower the dose because I really cannot get any fatter-I can’t stand it! I am trying to find other ways to deal with the depression, such as exercise, getting enough time to myself, do things that nourish me. I couldn’t tolerate Wellbutrin, but it doesn’t have the weight gain side effect, so I definitely think it’s worth trying. The other thing is if your depression is related to PMS, they have found that the SSRI’s can be used for that part of your cycle only-they have some kind of hormonal effect, so you’re much less likely to gain weight that way. You should definitely talk to a psychiatrist, not just a primary care doctor. Good luck! anon
I have tried several antidepressants (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft) before finding one that worked for me (Wellbutrin). I didn’t experience weight gain on any of them. I think the side effects vary by individual, so if you feel you need them I certainly wouldn’t avoid them because of fear of weight gain — there might not be any, and you can always lose a few pounds later if you have to. Wellbutrin has a bit of an appetite suppressant effect for me, but my weight hasn’t changed. And I think that it tends to rev you up a little more than some of the others, so it might not be a first choice if anxiety is part of your concern. No weight change. Good luck.
Section: General, Medicines, Mental Illness
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