Blog › Forums › Diseases and Conditions › Antidepressant weight loss
- This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 4 months ago by
bigbird.
-
AuthorPosts
-
July 7, 2013 at 10:41 pm #7632
bigbird
ParticipantHi, after discontinuing antidepressants is weight loss gained while on the medication possible? Do you need to do anything specifically? Its difficult to find helpful information on antidepressant weight gain, maybe a possible article. Not pharmaceutical bashing kind of article, since medications may be necessary in situations. Lets not let the choice of medications become a moral issue:-)
July 8, 2013 at 1:05 pm #7716Rob
ModeratorSometimes weight gain instigated by medication will come off on its own when you’re no longer taking it, and other times it won’t. If not then I would probably approach that like any other form of healthy weight loss: focus on supporting the metabolism through adequate calories, plenty of sleep, addressing stress, etc. and incorporate some sane and sensible exercise. I would avoid any overly restrictive or overly exhausting interventions.
-
This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by
Rob.
July 8, 2013 at 1:34 pm #7728bigbird
ParticipantHi, thanks for responding Rob, hopefully it comes off, never gained weight before except for being pregnant, then lost it immediately. I’m finding it difficult to get myself exercising, done it most of my life, just tire of it I guess, thank again though.
July 10, 2013 at 1:50 pm #8163The Real Amy
ModeratorBig bird, I can share what I saw with a close friend of mine (and have heard similar things from others). She gained a bunch of weight on the anti-depressants, which she was on for 5 years – at least 20 lbs, which on a petite person was significant. She came off and EFFORTLESSLY lost it all within a few months (like 2-3). No purposeful change in diet or exercise. She looks fabulous now.
I agree with Rob, don’t do anything other than simply taking care of yourself. Coming off the drugs can be really difficult so I am sure stress management is of the highest importance right now. You’ll probably settle out weight-wise over the next few months.
July 10, 2013 at 10:58 pm #8284bigbird
ParticipantHi Amy, thanks, I’m hoping it will come off. It takes a while to taper off paxil, on final 5 mg, It would be great if it just came off, I’ve been lucky and have never had a weight problem. I’ve had some emotional trauma over the past two years, I’m sure that didn’t help. I appreciate you taking the time to respond:-)
July 11, 2013 at 10:31 am #8347Rob
Moderator@bigbird- glad to help. If exercise sounds awful to you now, just give it time. It’s often the case that when we give ourselves permission to do what we want (not exercise), that we create space for new possibilities to emerge organically. Letting yourself binge on junk food without guilt for a while tends to spontaneously create a desire for heartier nutritious food. Letting yourself chill out and couch surf a while, when you’re not investing energy in feeling bad about it, tends to incite a desire to move around for its own sake.
And yeah, like Amy mentions, coming off medications like this can sometimes induce weight loss without any active effort on your part. Just give it time and go easy on yourself, and see where it takes you.
July 11, 2013 at 2:38 pm #8388bigbird
ParticipantThanks Rob:-)
-
This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.