Antidepressants and weight loss

Many times when people are taking medication for depression, they begin to feel better and they no longer have a loss of appetite. (= eating more than before) It is not impossible to lose weight while taking medication, but it can be more difficult. If medication is a form of treatment that works for you, schedule an appointment and get your prescription. (not an herbal supplement) In addition, some medications should not be stopped abruptly and should be monitored by a medical professional. Log accurately, be patient and you can see that progress is possible.

I'm on both bipolar medication and an antidepressant. I have been for years. Once you know how your body reacts to the medication, whether you're more hungry or not, whether you retain more fluid, etc then you can get on track with weight loss. In 2012 I was able to lose 60lbs while on my medication. It took a lot of discipline but it was possible. This time I've been able to lose just over 30 this time and all I've been doing is watching what I eat and how much of it I eat.

Please don't make yourself miserable because of a few pounds. You can always lose the weight.

I can't speak from personal experience, but I worked in the mental healthcare field for two years and spoke to many young women taking antidepressants.

Sometimes, gaining weight was the reason they had stopped taking their medication, but as their symptoms worsened, two things soon became evident. First, not taking antidepressants when you need them makes you feel worse about yourself and your life than gaining weight, and second, it is usually only that one particular medication. They usually realize #1, see the psychiatrist and explain their issue, and then discover #2. If you have been on antidepressants previously, you will probably know whether a particular medication made you gain weight.

If you are even thinking that you might need them again, I encourage you to at least go in for a consultation with a doctor who can help you figure out the path that is right for you, and also to tell the doctor about your weight concerns. Your doctor can avoid putting you on a medication that caused you weight gain, or put you specifically on a medication that doesn't have a strong history of causing weight gain -- after all, your doctor wants you to be well and take your medication, so they're willing to work with you to not give you something you won't take!

As a general note though, depression causes different things for different people. It's true some people stop eating and lose weight, but other people lie in bed (no exercise) and eat their feelings. You'll know what the situation is for you, and I hope you won't consider depression as a weight-loss tool, or alternatively recognize that depression has never helped you stay healthy. It's hard to exercise and stick to your goals when you are depressed!

Best of luck, and wishing you well.

I have clinically diagnosed depression. I take Zoloft and have done so the last 6 years. I have lost over 50 lbs and have gained quite a bit of muscle. Like everyone said you can lose weight or do anything with consistency. If taking meds makes you feel better do it. I don't know what I would do without mine.

Having dealt with anxiety and crippling panic disorders almost my entire life, I would much rather go on medication than deal with the effects of my anxiety. Me personally, I haven't had any luck with herbal remedies for panic attacks or my anxiety.

I'm currently on Prozac (I've been on it for almost two years now), when I was prescribed it, my doctor said it could suppress my appetite, but that isn't always the case. My weight loss has been pretty steady, so I think it depends from person to person.

Now, exercising does wonders with anxiety, but when you're in the middle of a panic attack, that's the last thing on your mind!
I think talking to your doctor and looking at your different options is key at this point. Your mental wellbeing is an important part in your weight loss journey!

You may want to ask your doctor about Wellbutrin XL. It has the possibility of more energy and weight loss in some folks.

I was prescribed antii ds for anxiety and menopausal symptoms. I lost a lot of weight when I first started taking them due to initial side effects. Then " bunged" a lot of weight on again. Hence why I am on MFP to lose the weight. I am currently tapering myself off them at the moment. Try something herbal.