Dieting is big business. In fact, the Colorado State University Extension reports that approximately 50 million Americans go on a diet each year. Many of those dieters decide to try diet pills -- either prescription weight-loss medications obtained from a physician or over-the-counter products. For safety, it's important to consult a physician about any diet pills you are considering. Weight-loss products may cause negative side effects, including depressed mood.
Step 1
Talk with your doctor. If you're on a prescription diet medication, you should be receiving regular monitoring by your doctor already. Ideally, you should consult your doctor before trying any sort of over-the-counter diet pills as well, says MayoClinic.com. That's because weight-loss pills can interact with other medications you may be taking, which can be dangerous. If you're experiencing depression while on diet pills, you need professional guidance.
Step 2
Assess whether continuing to use diet pills is prudent, with the help of your doctor. If mood symptoms are transient side effects of an otherwise safe diet pill, and your depression is not severe, you may decide to remain on the pills and wait it out. But if your depression does not improve and seems to be interfering with your daily functioning, you need to stop taking diet pills and seek alternative help.
Step 3
Follow a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise. Whether you use diet pills or not, good nutrition and physical activity are the keys to a healthy mind and body. Proper fuel, in the form of nutritious food and adequate calories, combined with the natural highs of exercise, can help you manage your mood while you pursue weight loss the healthy way.
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