Antidepressants & Weight loss

Previously I was a social worker and I know some info, so I can share what I know. However I am not a doctor so I'd suggest asking the doctor before you switch any type of meds. There are different types of anti-depressants and the ones that work on both the SSI's and the norepinephrine together as it adds energy. I do not know what those would be. I have heard that Wellbutrin is good for weight loss but not necessarily the depression. I have suffered on and off from depression all of my life and have only used the meds to re-stabilize a chemical imbalance after chronic depression. Not all people nor doctors believe in this method. For me, depression (not bi-polar) has underlying reasons so I like to attack the layers and use cognitive approaches to fix me. Again, that is just my method and I have used anti-depressants when I failed to think my way to positivity, lol. Good luck I wish you well.

For me I have depression and take Wellbutrin along with Zoloft to control my depression. For the most part I think it is controlled. But I really don't think either of those meds help or hurt in my weight loss journey- really I just love food. My depression has got better in my opinion with my weight loss this far. I also have adhd which is controlled but meds (adderall) which I know some people get postive side effects from that as far as appetite goes but I don't really maybe because I have been taking it for awhile now. I also have low thyroid and take synthroid for that.

I just want you to know regardless of what medical problems you have it is do-able. I have lost 34 pounds so far maybe a little more I weigh-in tomorrow, but just stay with it you can do this!

Feel free to add me as well. I've been on antidepressants for years. It is possible that the Prozac could be contributing to a weight gain and/or low energy, but both of those things can be symptoms for depression as well, and the SSRI's (like Prozac) don't seem to cause that as much as some other types of medications.

I noticed a big jump in energy when I started Effexor. It kind of leveled out after awhile, but for a time I was darn close to hyper, and I'm the type of person who can sit still for hours. As much as I hate to admit it, I also noticed a big jump in energy, and decrease in depression when I started the 30 Day Shred. Doctors had been nagging me about exercise for years, and turns out they might actually have been right. Go figure.

I have been doing the yo yo game for the last couple years and didn't think about why I feel so hungry all the time until you brought up antidepressants and weight loss. I am on Abilify and one of the side effects is weight gain. ( significant weight gain) I think I will talk to the dr. about this.

Thanks.

I'm on Lexapro 20mg now and have not experienced any weight gain. My psychiatrist knew not to prescribe a medication with that side effect because of my hx of eating disorders. I've been on everything under the sun, and the one med I'd recommend staying as far away as possible is Risperdal. I gained 30 lbs and started lactating !!!

I was on Wellbutrin for a long time, and I thought it was helping my depression (I think it helped me finally conceive!), but I didn't know what I was really missing out on until I added the anti-anxiety component to my regimen. I've been on Lexapro since December, and I actually have a full range of emotions, without crippling guilt, for the first time since I was a kid. Unfortunately, my getting on Lexapro kind of signals the start of my rapid weight gain. I don't know if it is an instance of correlation or causation. Either way, I'm not giving up my anti-anxiety meds anytime soon, so I'll struggle with the weight loss. My ultimate goal is for my health, and that includes my emotional and psychiatric well-being as well as my physical health.

I heard Prozac would help weight loss but it didnt help me with anything and then I was on Zoloft and it made me feel empty inside ( is the best way to describe it) and I didnt want to live like that so I slowly got off that med and was doing good for a while then now I am having anxiety attacks!! I just went to the doctor today and we talked it over and he put me on Klonopin but it is only 0.5 mg!!! Is that gonna be strong enough to help me??? if anyone knows about this med I would like to hear what you think!!


Good luck to Us all xxx

I was on Wellbutrin for a long time, and I thought it was helping my depression (I think it helped me finally conceive!), but I didn't know what I was really missing out on until I added the anti-anxiety component to my regimen. I've been on Lexapro since December, and I actually have a full range of emotions, without crippling guilt, for the first time since I was a kid. Unfortunately, my getting on Lexapro kind of signals the start of my rapid weight gain. I don't know if it is an instance of correlation or causation. Either way, I'm not giving up my anti-anxiety meds anytime soon, so I'll struggle with the weight loss. My ultimate goal is for my health, and that includes my emotional and psychiatric well-being as well as my physical health.

I have been on Wellbutrin for quite a while and was finally put on a low-dose of Respiridone for anxiety as well a couple of years ago and it was the magic formula for me. I am able to deal with things and am enjoying working out again. I do have to fight fatigue from having MS though so it is still a struggle some days to motivate myself to work out.

Thanx for the input!! I will give it a try and it is to take at bedtime so more sleep would be a good thing!!

I've been taking antidpressants for years and think it may have something to do with my weight gain over the years. Just joined yesterday as I need to get serious about losing these pounds! I take Welbutrin SR and have been on some variation of that med / dosage for a long time. I'm 45+ and have a new job that requires travel out of town every other week so that is both good and bad. Eating out nearly every meal M-F every other week.

Paxil. Add me too.

Hello Sarah, I've too have been struggling most of my life with depression. I've tried many different anti-depressants over the years and never had a problem with weight gain until I started taking divalproex just over 3 years ago and then put on over 40 lbs. Weight gain sure didn't help with my sense of well being that's for sure. I finally decided this past April to do something about my weight and joined MFP. I'm feeling so much better getting regular exercise but I still have some off days. Like this past week I've been feeling a lot of anxiety and not sure where it's coming from. So far I've only lost 5 lbs but I'm feeling stronger every day and definitely more empowered. Feel free to add me and we can help support one another.

I'm not on SSRIs any more, but I was on Zoloft for migraines back when the medical establishment was saying SSRIs did not cause weight gain and blamed any gain that did occur on people eating more when they were no longer depressed. I know for a fact, though, that it caused me to put on 10 lbs in 6 months (from 112 to 122) and my diet didn't change at all. If anything, I was exercising MORE because I felt better! Stopped the meds (with doctor's approval, of course) and the weight came off.

Sometimes it just takes finding the right med for your body. Later, I was on Lexapro for various reasons and had no weight problems at all. It was great for me, and I stayed on it as long as my doctor thought I needed to be on it. You just never know until you try.

Right now, my struggle is with Elavil (old school tricyclic antidepressant used more often now for nerve issues). Even on a dose "too low to cause noticeable side effects" (according to my doctors), it seems to have either slowed my metabolism or reset my body to think 5-10 lbs heavier is where it wants to be. And, so the fight begins again....

I'm also on Prozac; have been for a few months now. For me, my doctor advised it for control with overeating (it works with obessive compulsive behaviours) and mild depression. I feel good although having some sleeping issues still. I find I am able to better control my nighttime binging (not every night, but definitely moreso than before it). Do you find it helps you with that?