You might ask whether weight gain has anything to do with depression. Well, the answer is yes. They
have a tendency to go together. As common as it is, mood and food go together and may be the link
between depression and weight gain. To explain further: depressed people may become over-weight
or even obese, while people with obesity often are at a higher risk of having depression.
The link between depression and weight gain / obesity may also be the cause of change in stress
responses in the body. However, there are other factors that may also link depression and weight
gain, and those are as follows:
- Inflammation
- Psychological factors, such as isolation or the experience of stigma
- Reduction in physical activity
- Oxidative stress
- Changes in appetite regulation
- Changes to the metabolic-, hormonal- and immune systems
Other than these factors mentioned above, there in one more factor that could play a major role in
the link between depression and weight gain. This factor is the use of antidepressants and anti-
psychotics. Antidepressants can sometimes increase the risk of weight gain. Studies have shown that
46.3% of the people in their second or third year of an antidepressant treatment have the greatest
risk of gaining weight.
Although studies have shown that weight gain could increase the risk from taking certain
antidepressants, there are other antidepressants that may also cause you to lose weight, causing
your appetite to decrease and eat less. If you are concerned about this risk factor, express this to
your doctor who prescribed your medication.
Should your experience be this combination of weight gain and depression, you are not alone. There
are many ways to cope, one of which is talking to a mental health professional. Find someone you
trust to talk to and make sure that you get the help that is necessary for your mental well-being.
Don’t let your beautiful mind be subdued by depression.
