Joy: I recently starting taking an antidepressant medication to help with my mood and emotional state. Unfortunately, I’m notice weight gain. Why do antidepressants cause weight gain?

Megan: Weight gain can be a side effect of some antidepressants. Some experts think this is because metabolism and hunger are affected and a person may be regaining their hunger. Being inactive and overeating as a result of depression itself is not always the medication. Antidepressants improve serotonin levels while lowering dopamine levels and that can increase hunger. The direct cause of why and how antidepressants cause weight gain is unclear, especially because everyone responds differently. As always, this goes to show the importance of staying active exercising and eating a healthy diet to keep the foundation of health our body needs when we take things like medications that can challenge functions. 

If you have a question for Dr. FIT, email her at everybodysfit@gmail.com and be sure to check out her website www.everybodysfitoceanside.com