Depression and Weight Loss

nbrueggeman

I have begun treatment for anxiety disorder using Wellbutrin. I was wondering if after you began treatment for depression were you able to loose weight easier?
I've been on it one week, and already feel better, more energized and concentrated. I want to loose at least 12lbs by December 1.

Akimajuktuq

I had a long list of health problems, including anxiety, PTSD, depression ... and I won't go into the physical issues. After being used as a drug guinea pig in my youth, I refuse pharmaceutical medication. So, I don't know if the drugs will help you lose weight especially since so many of them have "weight gain" listed as side effects (I hope that you have read the drug info on whatever you choose to take).

I have been anxiety free and have cleared up ALL of my other health issues by diet alone. Other people have done the same.

nbrueggeman

No, I don't expect it to be a magic drug that means I can eat/ do what I want to loose weight.
I just wonder if after having depression treated if people were able to loose weight easier.
Wellbutrin has a side effect of weight loss not gain.

dittmarml

I lost weight on Welbutrin. Then gained it back because of pharmaceuticals for another problem. I'm now off everything and losing. Welbutrin helped me tremendously. Keeping in mind that there are huge individual differences in how people respond to meds over time, it sounds like you may have one that works here for you - good luck!!!

janlee_001

I have begun treatment for anxiety disorder using Wellbutrin. I was wondering if after you began treatment for depression were you able to loose weight easier?
I've been on it one week, and already feel better, more energized and concentrated. I want to loose at least 12lbs by December 1.

Nobody can honestly answer that because we all respond differently to medications. There are a lot which will reduce your appetitie and some which will cause a major gain. In all honestly it's when I'm have anxiety attacks I lose weight.

eireannyoung

Since Welbutrin works on dopamine and norepinephrine, it's way more of a stimulant than your usual SSRI-class of antidepressants. Therefore, there shouldn't be any problem with weight gain, and it may make your weight loss come easier as it may suppress the appetite for a while. I took it for a while, but it didn't agree with me (I had anxiety as well and it amplified that). I agree with the above poster in that it's best to treat depression through natural means such as diet and exercise. I've done this, got off my meds and I no longer suffer from clinical depression. However, the meds can be very useful as a temporary fix for getting you out of the hole.

DavidC1857

I have dealt with Depression and various Anxiety disorders my entire life. My experience is that when I am depressed, I am far more likely to just say "what the hell does it matter" and eat whatever I like. And gain weight. Depression also tends to kill motivation to do anything, much less exercise.

So, effective treatment of depression is very likely to make it easier for you to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan. But you need to develop those plans.

I will also point out that forcing yourself to get up and do something. Anything. Will help with depression. It's kind of a viscous circle, however, because depression kills the desire to get up and do anything.

goldfinger88

I can't speak to the drugs. But I can tell you that some people tend to overeat when depressed while yet others, myself among them, have very little appetite. So feeling better could go either way for you as far as the emotional side goes. But as far as the drugs go, I'm not that familiar with them. I do take some drugs for another issue that do definitely cause weight gain and make weight loss close to impossible. Look up the side effects.

Crazibaker

I am on an anti-depressant and am losing weight just fine. Hopefully it's the same for you.

Also - good for you for taking control and getting to feel better. Not everyone has the strengh.:happy:

nbrueggeman

Eireannyoung, I respectfully disagree. After months of eating right and exercise along with natural supplements to balance me out nothing was working. I hate to use drugs but I already feel better, I am concentrating in school, have more energy and have been a happier person overall.

Tina2Cats

I have dealt with Depression and various Anxiety disorders my entire life. My experience is that when I am depressed, I am far more likely to just say "what the hell does it matter" and eat whatever I like. And gain weight. Depression also tends to kill motivation to do anything, much less exercise.

So, effective treatment of depression is very likely to make it easier for you to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan. But you need to develop those plans.

I will also point out that forcing yourself to get up and do something. Anything. Will help with depression. It's kind of a viscous circle, however, because depression kills the desire to get up and do anything.

Depression has gotten in the way of my weight loss over the years which is why I had steadily been putting on weight. The meds I take contribute to weight gain which does not help. I will check into wellbutrin on my next appt. I had finally reached a point where I knew I had to do something or keep buying larger sizes and developing more health problems. And yes, depression kills motivation. I am finally motivated to do something about my weight which brought me to mfp. This is a great place and I am already seeing results. I am encouraged.