Absolutely. Many anti depressants/anti anxiety medications cause weight gain. I gained a significant amount myself being on them. But you're on them because you need them. Learn to accept your body and love it the way it is. The medication might make you hungrier or more tired, just stick with healthy foods (natural, whole, vegetable based) and ditch the scale. Don't let the Photoshopped "people" in magazines make you feel bad about yourself. They're fake, imaginary....you're real.

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time with the side effects. I wish these meds did not have any bad effects. I guess you just have to weigh the costs and benefits. Do you feel like the medications are helping your anxiety?

You said you feel apathetic...maybe that's a sign this isn't the right medication for you. What medication(s) are you taking, if you don't mind me asking? Luckily, there are several different kinds. Maybe you could talk to your psychiatrist or doctor about trying another one. I know stopping/starting a new medication is always scary, but it might be worth it if you can find one that doesn't give you so many side effects.

Luna has some great advice. Try to remember that you're a real, human being with imperfections, and learn to embrace those imperfections. It's okay if you don't have the perfect body. Try to be gentle and kind to yourself and less critical of your imperfections.

That being said, I realize gaining weight can make you feel lousy, and it is important to maintain a healthy weight for your overall health and well-being. Do you notice the meds making you hungrier/craving certain foods? Do you think it would benefit you to plan out your meals/snacks? Maybe you could plan to cook a few healthy dinners for the week. Look up recipes for easy, healthy meals. It would be even better if you could make meals ahead of time that you could freeze, so when you're in a hurry/don't feel like cooking, you can just take something out of the freezer.

As far as exercising, find something you enjoy. If you hate the treadmill, don't force yourself to muddle through a boring 30min treadmill workout. Try to get outside (if it's not too cold where you are) and go for a walk, a hike, a bike ride...anything to get your heart pumping. Incorporating some strength training is also good. Building a little muscle helps you burn more calories at rest.

Start making small weekly/daily goals for yourself (i.e. I will exercise for 30 minutes 3 days this week). Write them down, and when the week is up, revisit your goals and evaluate how you did. If you met your goal, make a new one for the next week. If you didn't meet your goal, evaluate why you didn't/what got in the way, and determine what you will change the next week in order to meet your goals. Also, it can be helpful to share your goals with someone who can help keep you accountable.

Sorry that was so long-winded...I just really feel for you. Focus on making positive changes and doing your best to keep a positive attitude, and you will go far! Good luck.

You are so right, it is laughable when I look at the news, all people who "flaunt" their cosmetic surgery "fit physique". There is nothing true about them. Their problems are cured with powerful drugs from rich doctors until they overdose. In the meantime the plastic surgeons are trying to score as much money from those stars as they can.
And yes, I had the same problems with weight gain. When I went up to almost 200 I was miserable. I weigh about 50 to 60 pounds less. I really don't know how much I weigh and I don't care. As long as I fit in my clothes, and yes I know how humiliating it is when my clothes don't fit right. It really makes me feel like I am failing.

I know exactly what you are going through because my weight fluctuates all the time and a lot of it has to do with female hormones. The bloating fatigue I get every month tricks me every time into believing I lost weight. And then the sweet tooth I get every month really does make me gain weight, because I want to snack on sweets.
The one sure way I keep my weight in check is to scratch out sugar, use stevia, fruits, just tried to make my own coconut sugar. Still experimenting with that, and yes lots of veggies and fruits. I remember when I used to diet a lot I would not allow myself to eat anything unless I had veggies first, or salad. It worked.

Thanks for the support, guys, it's really so helpful.

To answer your question, "wildflowers," I'm currently taking Zoloft, with Xanax as needed. I'm actually feeling pretty good about the meds, overall - I was taking Luvox for a while, with Klonopin as needed, but had pretty rough side effects with both meds and have been much better in the months since I switched. I don't feel that I'm apathetic in general, but seem to be regarding the weight situation. I'm unhappy, but feel completely unwilling to do anything about it - counterintuitive, I know, and very frustrating. I've stopped stepping on the scale, thankfully, but am still disheartened by the noticeable gain. Really, I suppose I just need to keep trying different things until something sticks, but it's such a blurry line between pushing for change and accepting how you are!

I was on Paxil for 10 years and gained 100 pounds. I was on the highest dose of Paxil and, with all the damage I had done to my body because of eating disorders, my weight skyrocketed. It was depressing. I was gaining 3 pounds a week no matter what I ate. It didn't matter if I ate an apple or an apple turnover I still gained 3 pounds a week.

I went to the obesity clinic in Boston and they were no help at all. They kept telling me to eat and the weight would just fall right off of me. Even when I did follow their program I still gained weight. They figured I was cheating. No one ever considered the meds. EVER. Even when I suggested it.

My weight did finally level off. And I do believe I gained so much because of all the damage I had done to my body. At the time I did feel that taking the medicine was so much more important than losing weight so I stayed on the meds. Once I was off of them I was able to lose the weight.

Take care

Hello,

I gained about 15+ pounds since I started my medications. To be honest, strict diets and exercise programs always fall through for me. I do not like to feel like I "have" to do something.

I have tried a few diets in the past (before taking medication) and have never been able to stick to them. I guess I do not like the restrictive feeling I get from them. I've managed to lose most of the weight by quitting drinking alcohol (another issue I had) and biking, which I love. I also try to eat less at home and split meals with my wife when we go out to dinner. I'm not skinny by any means but I am comfortable with my weight now.

Maybe try to focus on your depression issues first and once they are under control, work on losing what ever amount of weight that makes you uncomfortable. I think being happy and feeling good over all is more important. :)