Anxiety, Depression, and Weight

Fluctuations in mood or weight can throw anyone for a loop. Taking medications for weight management or mental health add another layer of complexity to the matter.

If you’re trying to find balance through the ups and downs, we’re here to help. Below is an overview of what you should know – and what you could do – about depression, anxiety, and your weight so you feel your best inside and out.

How does weight impact depression and anxiety?

There’s a strong link between mental health, weight, and vice versa. Weight gain could lead to depression and anxiety. It could also be that as weight fluctuates, so can lifestyle, appetite, and energy levels – which can bring highs and lows to your mood, too. We’ll unpack this in more detail below.

How does weight loss medication affect anxiety and depression?

Different weight loss medications can impact mental health in different ways. Let’s review.

• Bupropion: This antidepressant is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. It can help improve mood in people with depression, but may also increase anxiety in some cases.
• Naltrexone: Used off-label in combination with bupropion for weight management, Naltrexone can cause feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression. These symptoms are more likely in individuals with a history of depression. 
• Topiramate: Used off-label, one of the known side effects is mood changes, which can include depression and suicidal thoughts. This risk may increase with higher doses or in people with a history of mood-related conditions.
• GLP-1s®:  Some studies have been conducted on the relationship between anxiety, depression and weight loss medications, but no causal relationship has been found. So while users have reported feelings of anxiety and depression while on these weight loss medications, there’s no concrete evidence it is a side effect. 

To learn more about the medications mentioned above that Nurx offers, including risk information, check out our weight management offering here.

How does depression impact my weight? 

Besides mood changes (e.g., emptiness, sadness, hopelessness), there are many symptoms of depression that can disrupt your routine and lead to weight fluctuation.

• Appetite: Many people with depression lose interest in eating, leading to weight loss. Meanwhile, some people develop a stronger appetite, leading to weight gain.
• Sleep: Changes in the neurotransmitters in the brain that cause depression may also lead to sleep disturbances. Poor quality sleep can lead to craving fatty, sugary foods, which is associated with weight gain. 
• Movement: Depression can lead to a person no longer taking part in activities or sports they once loved. Combined with fatigue, it could feel incredibly difficult to stay active, resulting in weight gain. 

How do depression meds impact my weight?

In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, medications such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can be useful in treating depression. 

Some antidepressants are more likely to cause weight gain than others. With SSRIs, these include:

• Fluoxetine (brand name Prozac®): May lead to weight loss initially, but overall there seems to be no impact. 
• Sertraline (brand name Zoloft®): No impact, but weight gain has been reported by users.
• Paroxetine (brand name Paxil®): May lead to weight gain.
• Citalopram (brand name Celexa®): No impact, but weight gain has been reported by users.
• Escitalopram (brand name Lexapro®): No impact, but weight gain has been reported by users.

Other types of antidepressants more likely to cause weight gain include:

• Some tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, and doxepin.
• A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI): Phenelzine.
• An atypical antidepressant (one that doesn’t neatly fit neatly into another antidepressant group): Mirtazapine.

There is only one antidepressant that’s been reported to support weight loss, bupropion (Wellbutrin®). It’s an especially appealing option for people living with obesity and experiencing depression. 

To learn more about the medications mentioned above that Nurx offers, including risk information, check out our mental health offering here.

How does weight change affect depression?

Overall, research shows that people with obesity had a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time. Obesity and other weight conditions can also lead to physical health problems like joint pain, diabetes, and hypertension which are all risk factors for depression.

If weight gain is a result of eating lots of processed meat, fried and refined foods, and high-fat dairy products, you’re also more likely to be anxious and depressed. 

Weight loss, on the other hand, may reduce depression symptoms when achieved with diet and exercise or even in combination with weight management medication. Along the same lines, physical activity is known to release endorphins and boost your overall mood. 

How does anxiety impact my weight? 

Anxiety can cause weight loss or weight gain, depending on how your body reacts to it and the coping mechanisms you might use.

For example, some people lose their appetite, while others turn to exercise to let out the pent-up energy. Both reactions can lead to weight loss. Others may turn to high-calorie comfort food, which leads to weight gain. 

Short bouts of stress can burn more calories, but chronic stress has the opposite effect – it’s linked to insulin resistance and obesity.

How do anxiety meds impact my weight?

In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness skills, medications like SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) can also be useful in treating anxiety.

You can expect the same impact when taking SSRIs for anxiety as you would when taking SSRIs for depression, as described above. 

Common SNRIs can also impact weight changes. These include:

• Venlafaxine (brand name Effexor®): No impact, but some people experience weight gain or loss.
• Duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta®): Depends. May cause weight loss with short-term use and some weight gain with long-term use.
• Desvenlafaxine (brand name Pristiq®): No impact, but more data is needed before it is concluded.

How does weight change affect anxiety? 

Weight gain caused by poor diet can trigger anxiety in similar ways that it can cause depressive symptoms (as described above). If you’re overwhelmed by societal pressures, feeling the “need” to lose weight can also heighten anxiety symptoms.

Overall, weight loss has been shown to improve anxiety symptoms and boost mood. Sometimes, though, it could negatively affect your mental health. Following strict fad diets, over-exercising, and losing too much weight too fast can actually trigger more stress on your body and mind.

What else can I do to help with weight and anxiety and depression?

We recommend prioritizing healthy lifestyle habits; eating nutritional and balanced meals and getting plenty of hydration is key to fueling your body with what it needs to thrive. In addition, getting enough sleep and learning mindfulness exercises can ensure you are powered up and in the right mindset to make healthy choices.

At the end of the day, the links between weight, depression, and anxiety are complex. And how you want to manage your mental and physical health is a deeply personal choice.

If you’d like to learn more about how Nurx can address your mental health concerns, reach out here.

If weight management is on your mind, Nurx can support you throughout the entire journey. Reach out here to find out how.

Disclaimers:

The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided here for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your provider.

Nurx does not provide talk therapy or crisis management. Services and treatments, not offered in every state, include medical treatment of overweight and obesity including lifestyle counseling (e.g., diet and exercise) and prescription medications, if clinically appropriate, based on completion of  required consultation. Nurx requires regular check-ins to monitor your progress.  Weight loss may be associated with other symptoms including but not limited to muscle loss, fatigue, menstrual changes, gallstones, and mood changes. Extreme/rapid weight loss may result in nutritional deficiencies that lead to hair loss, anemia, weak bones, or increased risk of infection. Talk to your provider immediately about symptoms. Many people with overweight or obesity who lose weight have a tendency to regain all or some of the weight over time. Overweight and obesity medication efficacy increases with the addition of diet and exercise. Individual response to treatment may vary and is not guaranteed by Nurx.”  

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or  go to your nearest emergency department. If you are contemplating suicide, call 911 or call/text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These services are available 24/7 .