Antidepressants are hailed by millions as life-saving drugs that lift people out of the depths of depression.
However, for many, success ushers in a new conflict: the fight against the bulge. Unsettling research suggests that antidepressants may be programming our brains to gain weight.
After battling depression for years, Sarah, 32, says, "I finally felt like myself again." But the burden kept piling up. It seems as though my body began turning every additional meal into fat."
Who's at fault? higher amounts of serotonin. This "feel-good" molecule is elevated by the most widely used antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Though studies indicates it may potentially interfere with our hunger control regions, it works wonderfully for mood. Research indicates that we are reaching for that second serving because of an increase in desires and a decrease in satiety signals.
It's not a little weight gain either. It is a never-ending loop. Putting on weight can exacerbate depression, necessitating greater dosages of medication and possibly contributing to further weight gain. Many people fall into this trap.
Regaining weight can be quite disheartening, according to renowned psychiatrist Dr. Lisa Huang. "It can make people feel like they're failing at recovery, leading to medication non-adherence and a return of depression."
The implications for long-term health are similarly worrisome. Obesity raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.
Are antidepressants turning into a kind of Faustian bargain whereby mental health is exchanged for physical health?
The response is ambiguous. The effects of antidepressants are genuine, and so are the weight gain. However, the topic of discussion must shift. Physicians need to be transparent about the possibility of weight gain as a side effect and look into different drugs or treatments.
Sarah's fight continues. "I'm determined to find a balance," she says. "I won't let this medication steal my victory over depression."
The fight against depression is difficult enough. We shouldn't have to fight a weight battle on top of that.
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