anxiety meds/anti-depressants & losing weight 👀

josiemorelikeghostie
josiemorelikeghostie Posts: 5 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hello, lovely mfp people 🙌

As of tomorrow I will be starting meds for anxiety and depression. There is a good chance it will affect my appetite, though 👀
Does anybody have experience with taking meds / dealing with mental health issues and losing weight?
I'm kind of looking for ideas on healthy snacks that are highly caloric, too. My doc said I'll probably have way less appetite and I'm a bit nervous :c My goal is to lose weight, but obviously I want to achieve that in a healthy way.
Any advice?

Also, feel free to add me on here! I'm new🧍Let's support each other ✨

Replies

  • Speakeasy76
    Speakeasy76 Posts: 961 Member
    Can I ask what medication you'll be taking? The reason I ask is that are more highly correlated with weight gain, while some (just a few) are correlated with weight loss.

    I've been on Lexapro for a year, my 3rd time taking it (twice before for PPD). The 2nd time I was able to successfully lose weight, and this 3rd time as well (not a lot, just vanity weight). What I noticed this most recent time is that my cravings definitely increased, but because I was using MFP to track, I seems to be eating about the same. However, I seemed to gain a small amount of weight--maybe water retention, or maybe not being as careful as I thought. However, most of the side effects have diminished, so lost about 8 pounds more.

    For highly caloric snacks, I'd definitely recommend nuts and seeds. I used to not a lot (and still don't eat a ton), but have found the higher fat content keeps me full much longer and less likely to overeat them. As an added bonus, some are high in Omega 3's and magnesium, which can be mood boasters.
  • OnceAndFutureAthlete
    OnceAndFutureAthlete Posts: 192 Member
    I've found that different ADs affect my appetite different ways. The one I'm on currently doesn't impact my appetite, but it seems to reduce my sugar/carb cravings. My theory is that it has to do with serotonin/brain chemistry, like if the AD is doing its thing, my brain/body doesn't crave crap to give me that sugar rush. ??? But yeah, what happens with you is really going to depend on which AD you're taking and your personal brain/body chemistry.

    Given that, I'd recommend tracking your food and weight here at MFP to see what's going on, maybe not with any goal for the first weeks, but just to get a record and see any trends using the reports/chart function. Maybe also journal your feelings and hunger/appetite. Then proceed from there.

    I'd second the recommendation of nuts for a high calorie snack if it ends up that's what you need - good fats, other micros, not empty calories.

    Best of luck to you.
  • xrj22
    xrj22 Posts: 218 Member
    I think it is very individual. Effexor made me crave sugar and gain weight. (I wasn't on any particular diet at that time.) Zoloft didnt. I had a lot more success with dieting and exercise when not depressed, so I actually lost weight on that one. All the research would say that the two meds are equally likely to cause weight gain, but the definitely affected me differently.
  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
    i started zoloft and figured out a lot of my eating issues were from my depression. Its made sticking to macros so much easier. My hunger goes up with depression and my anxiety. I lost 50 pounds since starting antidepressants

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