Depression can make you feel like your life is not worth living, and antidepressant medications can pull you out of that spiral and introduce you to happiness again. One of the unfortunate side effects of them is weight gain. It is extremely difficult to implement any weight loss program when taking an antidepressant drug. However, there are many types of antidepressants, so don't assume that you have to stay with the one you are taking. Talk to you doctor about your weight gain, and see if he is willing to switch to another medication.
Drugs That Cause Weight Gain
Antidepressants are known to cause weight gain, especially when taken over a long period of time. It is also difficult to lose once you gain this weight. According to MayoClinic.com, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, paroxetine, mirtazapine and trazadone are known to cause weight gain. There are many reasons these medications may cause this side effect. Recovering from depression may make you more interested in eating again, and this can cause you to gain weight. You might also lose weight when you are depressed and when the depression lifts, you naturally gain back what you lost. According to "Psychology Today," a chemical component causes cravings for simple carbohydrates. That leads to weight gain.
Losing Weight on Antidepressants
Although antidepressants are great for lifting your mood, even the most dedicated dieter can find it difficult to lose weight on some of these medications. According to "Clinical Psychiatry News," even those who adhere to a strict dieting and exercise regimen have a difficult time shedding the weight they gain while taking an antidepressant. It is important to keep track of your weight so that you can document for your doctor the side effects of your medication. That way, she can switch you to another medication that does not have weight gain as a side effect.
Serotonin Diet
The "Serotonin Power Diet" is one researcher's response to the high weight gain side effects that are caused by antidepressants. Dr. Judith Wurtman worked at McLean Hospital, which is associated with Harvard Medical School. According to "Psychology Today," she studied patients who were previously thin but had gained a tremendous amount of weight from antidepressants. She found that giving them a drink of carbohydrates in the morning, afternoon and sometimes before bedtime curbed their eating habits. When carbohydrates are consumed without protein, the amino acid tryptophan can enter the brain and help create serotonin. This is supposed to reduce sugar cravings, reduce appetite and lead to less food intake. Following this diet made Dr. Wurtman's patients lose weight while taking antidepressants.
Medications Without Weight Gain
If you are gaining weight while taking an antidepressant, you do not have to stop taking an antidepressant altogether. There are other options available that you can discuss with your doctor that will not cause weight gain. According to the Mayo Clinic, venlafaxine, bupropion and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and sertraline do not have this side effect. Paroxetine is also an SSRI, but is the exception to the rule. However, weight fluctuations can be a problem with any medication, so it is important to keep track of your weight and let your doctor know of any changes. Another medication may not have that effect on you.
