Depression Drugs & Weight Loss

Many people who suffer from depression eat more and end up gaining weight. Once they have begun treatment and are starting to feel better, they may try to lose weight and find that they are still gaining weight even if their eating habits have changed. The reason for this is that many antidepressants have the unfortunate side effect of weight gain. Choosing the right antidepressant is important for those who want to lose weight.

Antidepressants that Cause Weight Gain

Prozac is one of the most popular antidepressants and is one antidepressant that is known for causing weight gain. In some rare cases, people have been found to lose weight while on Prozac. Paxil, another popular antidepressant, is even more likely to cause someone to gain weight. The fact is that most of the popularly prescribed antidepressants have weight gain as a symptom and unless the patient brings it up, the prescribing psychiatrist may not even mention it.

Alternatives

Welbutrin can cause weight gain in rare cases, but most people lose weight when taking it which is great for people who are trying to lose a few extra pounds. Zoloft is less likely to cause weight gain than some of the other popular antidepressants. For people who are only taking antidepressants for a short period of time, Celexa, Lexapro and Cymbalta are all great choices as weight gain doesn't occur as a side effect until after months of use.

Options

It is important for the person taking the antidepressants to talk to his doctor about what the options are. If he is interested in losing weight, he should request an antidepressant that is less likely to cause weight gain. Not all people respond to antidepressants the same way and it is possible that an antidepressant with a high risk of weight gain is the only one that will work for some people.

Diet

For those who do end up taking antidepressants that cause weight gain, it is still possible to lose weight despite this setback. Proper diet will not only help to lose weight, but it will also help with the depression. Foods like fish and walnuts that contain omega-3 fatty acids are especially great foods to incorporate into one's diet as they are not only healthy, but the omega-3's help promote healthy brain function and are used to combat depression.

Exercise

Proper exercise is also great for getting around the side effects of the antidepressants. Exercising for 30 minutes several times a week is great for promoting weight loss. In addition, exercise produces endorphins in the brain that can help a person suffering from depression. It can be hard to find the motivation to exercise when one is depressed, but it will help lose weight gained and pull the person out of the depression faster.

References

• The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs; Jack M. Gorman, M.D; 2007

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