Last Updated 3 years ago
Ever since depression has ceased to be a taboo and people started treating it as any other malady or health issue, the number of persons taking an antidepressant treatment has exploded.
Unfortunately, a great number of them tend to stop their treatment against the advice of their doctor, because they notice a change in their weight.
At least 1 out of 4 patients receiving antidepressants claim they have gained weight.
But how much truth is in that claim? Do antidepressants cause weight gain indeed?
Antidepressants and Weight Gain – Can’t Have the One Without the Other?
Most antidepressant medications, including the group known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor drugs (SSRI), tricyclics, and MAO inhibitors can indeed cause a weight gain.
While each case is different, with various factors determining the weight of each patient, most of them noticing changes in their body mass gain an average of 10 pounds or more.
No need for clinical trials to associate weight gain with most antidepressants.
The everyday experience of most of the consumers is pretty overwhelming, despite the fact that it takes more than five months before this effect gets noticed.
Actually, this is why the first clinical trials of the most widely prescribed antidepressants showed nothing regarding weight gain since they usually last 8to 12 weeks.
Still, it would be wrong to suppose that weigh gain is certain for every person taking antidepressants.
Much depends on a combination of the used drug, the metabolism of the patient, possible side health issues, his or her nutrition and way of life, heredity etc.
Regardless of the factors that cause this effect, weight gain can be an issue for antidepressant users who do not want to compromise their health in order to retain their figure and are determined to follow their treatment through.
Understanding what exactly happens to the body can be very helpful in tackling and coping with the problem.
How Antidepressants Contribute to Weight Gain
How exactly antidepressants cause weight gain is a matter of dispute among experts.
Several theories have been proposed, but, even if one of them was proven for a specific antidepressant or group of drugs, it could hardly be proof for the lot of them.
What’s generally accepted, is that antidepressants affect the patient’s appetite and metabolism.
Things are not so simple though. Both these mechanisms are very complex and our understanding of them is not as thorough as we would wish.
Several patients, for example, notice a weight gain even though they see no difference in their appetite, or change nothing in the amount of food they consume every day.
Others insist that a few weeks after taking their prescription they feel ever hungrier. Some even claim that their medication has induced a craving for carbohydrates or fatty food.
Some researchers have quite convincingly claimed that antidepressants are associated with weight gain simply because they make us feel better and rediscover the little joys of life, thus finding more pleasure in food – which could, in turn, lead to consistent overeating.
As you’ve probably understood by now, while several scientists have developed very intriguing and often substantiated theories about how exactly antidepressants cause weight gain, we are still unable to pinpoint them the exact reasons and mechanisms that cause this effect.
Is There a Way to Tackle the Problem?
Well, surely stopping your treatment is NOT an option.
There are several things you can do to keep control of your weight gain while heeding your doctor’s counsel, but never be tempted to just stop receiving your medication to preserve your figure.
Aside from the fact that with proper care, the overall weight you might gain is small, being beautiful and appealing involves mostly your attitude, moods and overall disposition, not your weight.
Even an overweight person can look great – provided she or he feels great. Besides, nothing stops you from steadily losing the extra weight after the proper termination of your treatment.
Remember, the more closely you follow your doctor’s advice, the faster you will be able to properly conclude your treatment.
So, let us see what you can do during the treatment that can help you keep check of your weight.
First, of all….
… Talk to your Doctor
An experienced doctor will know and suggest several ways that could be used to tackle the problem.
Under no circumstances should you follow any of the suggestions stated below without discussing them first with your personal physician.
… about Changing your Medication
In some cases, changing the medication has helped in minimising the weight gain effect.
Several antidepressants are less associated with weight gain than others while switching within the same class of drugs can make a difference.
Still, the whole thing is often a combination of so many neurochemical factors that is impossible to say which drug in advance could work better.
Still, remember: your medical condition should dictate which drug is best for you, not your scale!
Never lose focus and make sure you set your priorities straight – first your health, then the figure!
So, never change our medication or alter the way you take it by yourself, without consulting with your doctor.
Another thing really important.
Never combine an antidepressant treatment with weight loss medication – especially without the consent of your doctor! It could pose a serious threat to your health or negate any possible benefits from your treatment!
… Mind your Diet and Exercise
Naturally, diet and exercise are of immense importance to keep control of your weight. While there is still a chance to gain some weight during your antidepressant treatment, proper nutrition and exercise will minimise the problem.
In fact, the sooner you start exercising and improving your diet, the better. In other words, it is better to not just wait and see whether you will gain weight or not.
The sooner you start the better.
It is always good to ask for professional help in this matter.
Always in cooperation with your doctor, seek counsel from a nutritionist and one or two personal trainers – and it would be good to notify them about your treatment and help them tailor their advice to your condition the best way possible.
If you do that, the worst-case scenario would be to stabilise your weight and get in shape.
In fact, exercise will probably help you recuperate, since several studies have shown again and again how helpful it is in fighting off melancholy and depression, as well as stress and anger.
… Avoid Strict Diets!
On the other hand, severely restricting your caloric intake may have a grave impact on your health and counteract the effects of your treatment, affecting your brain chemistry.
So, if you want to have the best possible results, speak to a registered nutritionist or dietitian; better off, speak to two or three of them. They will help you preserve a healthy body mass without compromising your health.