Depression, which is one of the major illnesses in modern times, is a sort of sadness, which includes anger, but without enthusiasm. In this condition, the person either loses or gains weight. Weight loss in depression, is the most commonly found, and is called anorexia-nervosa; weight gain is bulimia-nervosa.
Weight gain is one of the major phenomena which patient experiences while they are on antidepressants. One cannot say that antidepressants are really responsible for weight gain because depression often characterized by change in appetite, energy and physical activity.
Weight gain due to anti depressant may be the one part of neuropharmacological conditions. Thus it proves that the mechanism of antidepressant cannot be fully explained. Study’s says that a change in weight depends upon the various class of anti depressants.
In addition, since loss of appetite and weight loss are common depression symptoms, it is possible that many cases of antidepressant-related weight gain are actually caused by the depression getting better, not by the medication itself. This proves that patient begin to regain interest in the pleasurable aspects of life (such as eating) as your depression improves.
In case of weight loss, doctors prescribe antidepressants, which cause weight gain in the patients. There are many anti psychotic, mood modulators, anti depressants that can cause weight gain and we know about the adverse effect of obesity. , it is clear that weight gain is one of the most frustrating antidepressant side effects people deal with.
Antidepressants, which are likely to cause weight gain, are tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase, bupropion, serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, etc. Weight gain can be countered by carbohydrate regimen in diet.
Tricyclic antidepressants are older depressants which inhibit the function serotonin reuptake and nor epinephrine. So that it leads to weight gain by increase the carbohydrates in our body and alters the regulation of the fat storage in our body. Nowadays selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor are used instead of tricyclic anti depressant
Monoamine oxidase enzyme responsible for the breakdown of monoamines includes the neurotransmitters serotonin, nor epinephrine, and dopamine. Low levels of neurotransmitters are associated with depression. When these neurotransmitters cannot be readily broken down, more becomes available and the patient’s depression improves. Because monoamine oxidase inhibitors also block the breakdown of a monoamine called tyramine, foods and beverages containing tyramine must be avoided. High levels of tyramine in the body can lead to hypertension and weight gain.
