Fat Pharms: Antidepressants and Weight Gain
Fat Pharms: Antidepressants and Weight Gain
Up to 25% of people who take antidepressants gain weight. Is there anything you can do about it?
Although all the experts WebMD consulted believe it's certainly worth making any and all efforts to control your weight while taking antidepressant medications, they also point out that for one subgroup of people, weight gain will simply be an inevitable side effect of treatment.
"There are clearly some people for whom certain antidepressants are essential, even though the impact on their weight can be so strong that it simply can't be offset by any amount of calorie restricting or even exercise. It just doesn't work," says Sussman.
If this turns out to be true for you, Fincham says it's vital to keep it in the proper perspective and recognize the importance of treating your depression first and foremost.
"Seeking help for depression and following through with your medication regimen is a courageous and important thing to do, so even if you gain weight in the process, give yourself the gift of working through the depression first. Get a handle on it as best you can, and then worry about the weight loss after you are feeling better mentally and emotionally," says Fincham.
Sussman agrees. "You have to recognize that the weight gain is not your fault and that what you are doing to help overcome your depression is far more important," he says.
Fat Pharms: Antidepressants and Weight Gain
Up to 25% of people who take antidepressants gain weight. Is there anything you can do about it?
Antidepressants and Weight Loss: If at First You Don't Succeed ...
Although all the experts WebMD consulted believe it's certainly worth making any and all efforts to control your weight while taking antidepressant medications, they also point out that for one subgroup of people, weight gain will simply be an inevitable side effect of treatment.
"There are clearly some people for whom certain antidepressants are essential, even though the impact on their weight can be so strong that it simply can't be offset by any amount of calorie restricting or even exercise. It just doesn't work," says Sussman.
If this turns out to be true for you, Fincham says it's vital to keep it in the proper perspective and recognize the importance of treating your depression first and foremost.
"Seeking help for depression and following through with your medication regimen is a courageous and important thing to do, so even if you gain weight in the process, give yourself the gift of working through the depression first. Get a handle on it as best you can, and then worry about the weight loss after you are feeling better mentally and emotionally," says Fincham.
Sussman agrees. "You have to recognize that the weight gain is not your fault and that what you are doing to help overcome your depression is far more important," he says.
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