Weight gain and depression ?

Question

I have been on Wellbutrin 200mg for a couple of years and also take Klonipin at night to sleep. Over the last year I have been really depressed and anxious. I have put on 40 lbs. I have never gained this much weight unless I was 9 months pregnant.!

Anyway, I went to see my psychiatric Dr. and he upped my wellbutrin by 100 mg. and said that the weight gain was from my depression because it slows your metabolism down and also my eating habits have not changed. He said to come back in five weeks to see how I am feeling and then we might talk about thyroid medication or something to help me lose some weight.

Five weeks will be next thursday and I guess I feel a little better, but I was wondering if anyone knew what medications he might be thinking of for the weight loss so I can do some research on them first. Anyone know?

azn....why don't you be quiet if you don't know what you are talking about.

My diet has been the same, I am just less active because of the depression, which has slowed my metabolism down.

slyfox, If I could simply stop being depressed I would. It is chemical as well as situational. My mother passed away last year after fighting cancer for 9 years.

Also, I already have been to my MD and had a full blood screen and my thyroid was in the normal range.

Answer 1

Depression and weight gain, along with mood swings and panic attacks, are symptoms of low thyroid. I know, because I have spent the last year or so struggling with agoraphobia, panic attacks, weight gain, feeling depressed and cold and exhausted.

I **strongly** suggest you go to a regular medical doctor and get a full physical including TSH, T3 and T4 tests. Request they run the T3 and T4 to rule out the possibility of thyroid disease. If you have Hashimoto's Disorder it won't show up with just a TSH test. (Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that destroys the thyroid gland.)

Psychiatrists try to cure everything with psychoactive drugs because that's what they know. But some organic problems can affect your moods and cause depression, too.

I have been on thyroid supplements for almost 6 mos and the change is astounding.

Answer 2

Well I have never experienced obesity or depression, but I can understand how tough it must be at high school... People can be quite cruel. And I'm not an expert but it makes sense how depression can lead to weight gain, some people use food or other material things, such as alcohol or drugs, as a vice in order to feel better for a brief amount of time. Probably the only useful advice I can give is try to not think about yourself as "fat and ugly". That is part of your problem: Not having enough confidence in WHO you are as a person and focusing mainly on appearance. As I said, people can be cruel and say things, but the best thing is to not let them get to you and break down your self-esteem and in the mean time rebuild your confidence in yourself. Try to do things that make you feel better without contributing to your original dilemma. Also, some medications, like Seroquel, have been known to cause weight gain due to the fact that they can sometimes inhibit certain hormones or impulses which triggers something that makes you want to eat. Hope this helped!

Answer 3

Please don't take any notice of people who tell you that depression has nothing to do with weight gain.
It does and has been medically proved.
During bouts of depression you release hormones which have the effect of slowing your metabolism down.

Sorry Bradley P
But the thyroid is a gland which realises hormones, though these hormones do effect the metabolism. The problems concerning the thyroid,
1, Hypothyroidism: Cause extreme weight gain and effect nerve fibre growth. Usually early on in life

2,Hyperthyroidism:Causing drastic weight lose and consumption of tissue, Generally occurring the one early 30's

Though the medication for Hyperthyroidism may be prescribed to control you metabolism. I worry about the over use of medication and the fact that it does not always solve the problem.
You problem is seated in your depression, therefore something like prozac as a medication could help, it has had good result.

The the best cure you could have is to simply stop being depressed, I know it is by not means easy and it is a little like going on the wagon, but one day at a time, looking for the most passive side of things and regaining control of your life will help, by all means continue with your present treatment but don't relay on it.
Remember it's your life and if you truly want you can change it.

All that I have said is not contradiction to that of Bradley P.
There are some very good points there I have just added to it.

A Smile, A wink, Baci

Answer 4

If your doctor is thinking about thyroid medication, he will likely have you take a simple blood test to see where your *current* thyroid levels are at first. Thyroid is a hormone that your body naturally makes anyway, it helps regulate temperature and metabolism--how quickly you burn calories and your overall energy level. Some people just have more of it than others, and for some folks with depression it can be an issue.

My own doctor is wanting me to do bloodwork of a similar sort to see if I have any thyroid issues or other problems with my metabolism. ^_^ So I hear you, I get what you're going through. I'm on Wellbutrin myself (well, the generic version, but yeah).

But don't just take my word for it, hold on, let me find you a link, be right back:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone

That link starts out a bit technical, so you might want to scroll down to the "Function" area to get things in plainer english.

But I do understand you on the Weight gain thing with depression. Some folks lose their appetites, but not me. When I'm not on meds I tend to eat from stress, and my activity level drops. That combination does put on the pounds. I generally tend to be 20-40 pounds *lighter* when I am on medication....

So I hope this helps. ^_^ I have some 15 years of experiences, good and bad, with dealing with depression, so email me if you'd like to know more.

Thanks for your time.

Answer 5

Actually your weight gain is probably from putting food in your mouth, it doesn't get there by any other means honestly depression or no depression. No offense of course.

Answer 6

I can't believe people are still answering a question that was asked 8 yrs ago. Lol

Answer 7

eat chili for a couple of days research shows that chili peppers boost your metabolic rate burning 50 more cals a day

Answer 8

tired of eating your salad on a plate fill a whole wheat pita with salad and a splash of lemon for a twist

Answer 9

Better to drink warm water with lemon and honey

Answer 10

40 minutes of martial arts