Hello wildflower, I also was taking celexa until about a month ago. I gained a bunch of weight, about 15-20lbs. I haven't changed my activity level or diet during this period so I am pretty sure it was the med. That is one of the side effects I really hate and now weigh more than I ever have. I didn't think that med worked well for me but everyone is different so there is now way to tell until you try. Just be prepared for the weight gain. Sorry if this wasn't what you were hoping to read. I hope you find what works for you, since you are young maybe your metabolism will make up for the med.

I took Celexa for a short amount of time. I wasn't on it long enough to notice any weight gain. I stopped taking it, because I didn't find it very helpful. There are other meds that help control both anxiety and depression, like Effexor and Prozac. I found Prozac to be the most helpful with the anxiety. I very rarely needed to take Xanax, while I was on the Prozac. Maybe, you should ask your doctor about those.

Unfortunately, it is true about some antidepressants. I gained a bunch of weight on Paxil, which made my life hell in high school because I also had an eating disorder and I was obsessed with my body image back then.

However, with the help of a very good therapist, I was able to get over my eating disorder and it hasn't been a problem for me for twenty years.

Right now I'm taking Lexapro. I've only been on it for a month, so I can't say what it will do long term, but I've actually lost a couple of pounds since I started taking it. My doctor said sometimes people lose weight on these meds because they feel better and become more active and more motivated to eat well. I would definitely put myself in that category. Also, one of the side effects is loss of appetite and nausea, but that was only temporary.

If I were you, I'd work with a good doctor and therapist to find a medication that will work for you while also addressing your eating disorder. You don't have to live like this. You can feel better and also feel better about yourself.

In cases where you have more than one major trigger for medical issues, the key to successfully treating the worst symptom is to take care of it, keeping track of your normal daily living activities, and to allow your anxiety to express the changes naturally.

The origin of your problem may not be the eating disorder itself. The eating disorder could be a specific side effect of the anxiety associated with the hidden medical condition.

For those who are scared of the weight gain, please remember that you are not permanently tied to weight gain connected to drug treatment for another condition. Staying hydrated during this process will minimize the side effect of weight gain.

I say go for it. Keep a journal to help you process the thoughts, the patterns, and getting hydrated enough to help minimize the effects of the natural anxiety will help you feel better.

Let us know how it goes, and best wishes.

Thank you all for your replies. I really appreciate your honest input about your experiences. I still have not mustered up the courage to try the Celexa, even though I've been struggling with anxiety and think these meds could help. I'm just too afraid to start them and don't know how to overcome the fear I have.

Thanks again and hope you're all doing well.

I can relate to your concern over weight gain from taking medications. I too have gained some weight because of the meds. I am on...but, my quality of life is so much better....I have just started to workout at a gym, and that really has helped. Not all meds. cause weight gain. Everyone's body reacts differently to meds. There are other meds. to try that don't cause weight gain. It;s just the meds. that help me the most, do cause weight gain...but, I feel emotionally better, even with the weight gain...You are not alone...

I am a recovered eating disorder (anorexia/bulimic). My eating disorders almost killed me back in 1991......I was 31 years old at the time. I have since learned so much about eating disorders and other addictions. I know all too well the fear of gaining weight and to this day I do not own a scale nor do I know my weight. My doctor that treated me for eating disorders has since retired and I currently see a doctor who knows nothing about eating disorders and it has made my life difficult....but onward and upward anyways (I am seeing a new doctor in April...so hopefully it will make my life easier).
Sorry, I got off on a tangent, but wanted you to know that I can relate.
When I was so sick back in 1991, I found out quickly, that if I did not gain weight....I would die. I spent 8 weeks inpatient and 1.5 years out patient trying to gain weight.....but more so.....trying to get to the heart of the problem. I had so many issues and all I did was talk in circles and was ordered anti depressants. At first I was discouraged becuz I thought it would make me more numb than I already was. I didn't have the strength to figure out the side effects of the meds and the only way the doctors would treat me is if I was on the meds. In the 15 years I was on anti depressants (I was on a few)....it did not cause the weight gain. Working with a dietitian helped me gain the weight I needed and no more.
However, a few years ago, I started packing on the pounds even though I was not over eating....tho this doctor that I am dropping accused me of "closet eating." I haven't been on an anti depressant in several years now....so I can't blame it on that.
The culprit...........diabetes! My body could not deal with the sugar in my system and so it got stored in my body. I had to stop eating complex carbs or at least eating the white carbs and the excess weight just dropped off :)

I have to say that the anti depressants saved my life (along with my wise doctors and nursing staff.....oh.....and my wonderful therapist).
It slowed my thoughts down enough to deal with feelings and events that traumatized me and were too overwhelming to deal with. I say anti depressants in conjunction with therapy are wonderful. Did they have side effects.....yes. I was drowsy most of the time and I had dry mouth galore.....weight gain......only what the doctor ordered :)
I am happy, healthy, and yes.....I still have some anxiety....but it is getting less all the time (the trick is to deal with past trauma(s) and stress in healthy ways. Just becuz you need an anti depressant, doesn't mean you will be on them for life. And just becuz it mentions weight gain doesn't mean that will happen to you......just follow the doctors instructions.

In wrapping up my little chat here. I would like to add that eating disorders AND anxiety (they usually go hand in hand) are not the problems.....they are a smoke screen of what is going on inside. There is internal conflict, but as long as you keep counting calories, exercising your brains out, trying to decide what to eat/not eat, and the list goes on and on....then you NEVER have to deal with the real problem....understand?
So if you deal with the underlying issues....the eating disorder(s) and anxiety will dissolve and lose their power. The behaviors are deeply ingrained and will take awhile to change....but ya gotta want it and work at it daily. I am living proof that you can get better....if you follow your doctors, nurses, and therapists advice.
It may take a few attempts to find the right meds or combo of meds, so don't give up if the meds need to be changed or you need to find a good therapist. In the end......it makes a huge difference...in a good way :)

You can gain weight from those medications without changing your diet or anything at all. It sounds like your doctor either doesn't know what he is talking about or lied on purpose. One thing that makes you gain a lot of weight is Paxil so I definintly would not try that one. I refuse to try it lol. I was on celexa before and it didn't change my weight. It didn't help me at all either. Abilify is also one that makes a lot of people can gain.

***gain weight. They will add that on to other meds to make them "work better". But to me, you just get fatter lol.

Thank you again for all the input.

I know that everyone responds differently to different meds, but I read people's bad experiences and immediately think I am going to have the same awful side effects (negative thinking/catastrophizing is one of my main problems!)

I am underweight and do need to gain weight, so I can't understand why I am so afraid of the possibility that meds would make me gain. Eating disorders make no logical sense, yet I can't shake the illogical thoughts I have.

MsBlank: I want to thank you for sharing your story. Even though you still struggle some, you have come such a long way. You are so strong for what you've overcome, and hearing your story gives me hope that I too can get better.