Antidepressants and Weight: Are They Connected?

Picture this: you’ve recently been diagnosed with depression. You’re discussing treatment options with your mental health practitioner, and suddenly they suggest antidepressants. You’ve heard about them, but you’re still unsure about them. 

Antidepressants are a highly effective treatment for depression. They work by targeting the chemicals created in the brain (called neurotransmitters). An imbalance in these chemicals can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Antidepressants work towards restoring this balance. 

Medication directly targets the biology of depression. You can begin to see changes in your symptoms within a couple of weeks after beginning your course. Personal anecdotes of people who are on antidepressants are inspiring, with one going as far as to say that they saved her life.

However, despite being the third most prescribed drug in America, people are still hesitant about beginning antidepressant treatment. Potential side effects are often cited as a major barrier.  

Do Antidepressants cause side effects?

The short answer is yes. 

Just like any medication, antidepressants can also have certain side effects. These include weight gain, changes in sleeping patterns, restlessness, and nausea. However, it is important to note that not everyone experiences the same side effects and the intensity of symptoms can also differ from person to person.

Weight Gain—A Common Side Effect

Weight gain is one of the most common (and dreaded) side effects of antidepressant usage. Approximately, 25% of people who use antidepressants experience a change in their weight.  

Experts aren’t entirely sure how antidepressants lead to weight gain. But the consensus is that they must affect both metabolism (the rate at which food is converted to energy) and appetite. Here are some of the links between antidepressant use and weight.

Chemical Changes and Serotonin

Remember the chemicals in the brain? Serotonin is one of them. Antidepressants are believed to target the levels of serotonin created by your brain. Serotonin also plays a role in regulating hunger and cravings – specifically cravings for carbohydrate-dense food such as pasta or bread. These cravings can sometimes lead to an increase in appetite and subsequently weight.

Weight Loss and Depression

Some people lose weight when they’re depressed. Depression can make it difficult to look after yourself, and activities such as eating or cooking are often impacted. Medication helps to revive the appetite and gain back weight loss during a depressive episode. In such cases, weight gain can be an indicator that medication is effective. 

Physical Inactivity

A depressive episode can take a toll on your energy levels and the amount of activity you do in a day. As the medication begins to ease symptoms, it is possible that your appetite might return before your energy levels do, which can also lead to changes in weight.

Weight gain can be frustrating. It can also begin to affect your self-worth and your mental health. If you are struggling with weight gain (or other unintended side effects) due to antidepressant use, it’s important to discuss them with your healthcare provider or psychiatrist. They are best suited to understanding the complex interactions between your body and the medications prescribed. Depending on your experience, priorities and feedback, your psychiatrist can adjust your dosage or change the type of medication you are taking. They might also suggest talk therapy to help you learn to love and accept yourself.

Each person is unique – there is no one size fits all approach to antidepressants or mental health at large. But, with some patience and the right support, you can find the right treatment approach for you.