Why Do People With Clinical Depression Gain Weight?
Clinical depression is also known as unipolar or major depression. But no matter what it's called, a common symptom is weight change. Although some people lose weight, most people with clinical depression gain weight.
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Causes
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Causes of weight gain in people with clinical depression include comfort eating, reduction of exercise because of fatigue and chronic pain, and side effects from antidepressants.
Medication
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According to Psychology Today, antidepressants commonly cause people to gain weight, especially Lexapro (escitalpram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Marplan (isocarboxazid).
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Significance
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The National Alliance on Mental Health states that many antidepressants can cause both an increase in appetite and drowsiness. This combination may make a person eat more calories but burn fewer calories.
Prevention
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According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no way of testing if an antidepressant will give a particular person extra pounds. People on antidepressants need to monitor their weight and begin dieting and exercising throughout treatment.
Benefits
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The Family Intervention Guide to Mental Illness by Bodie Morey and Kim T. Muesser states that the benefits of antidepressants outweigh the risks.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hoggarazzi Photography
