What Causes People to Gain Weight While Taking Antidepressants?

Here are a couple of reasons why you might experience antidepressant-related weight gain.

So, you might simply be eating a bit more than you typically did prior to taking medication.

A sad young man in the living room. He suffers from depression and holding bottle of pills

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Your antidepressant medication may not be the cause of your weight gain.

Never stop taking your antidepressant without talking to your prescribing physician.

Weight gain is also associated with the atypical antidepressant Remeron (mirtazapine).

Research suggests that around 10% of people who take SSRIs longer than six months experience some weight gain.

The same can be said for side effects.

Switching from one antidepressant to another may provide adequate symptom control for you without weight gain.

Healthcare providers are not all equal when it comes to dealing with antidepressant side effects.

Many healthcare professionals will be more focused on treating depressive symptoms than on minimizing weight-related side effects.

Regular physical exercise doesnt have to be intensive to be beneficial.

Studies show even a little exercise offers benefits.

Before beginning any diet or exercise plan, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Summary

Some antidepressants have been associated with weight gain.

Depression itself can also be associated with weight gain.

But if you are concerned about weight gain while taking antidepressants, talk to your doctor.

Side effects can vary from one individual to another.

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