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Excessive worry about weight gain from an antidepressant :-(

Sueetties
Community Member

Hello,

So this marks the 6th month since I have started on an antidepressant to treat my depression. I have been overly feeling good about my mood. However, I am unable to put aside the excessive worry of gaining weight for the last 6 months as so much has been said about the unwanted side effects.

I know I’ve been in a perfect weight range (47.5kgs) for years and I’m still the right size. However, presently, I unconsciously stand up on a scale from time to time (3 or 4 times a day) and weight myself up for fear that I will gain an extra unwanted 5 pounds. This has driven me insane.

Excessive exercise is another thing that has plagued me as well. I know it’s good to do some exercises but seem that I have been overdone it, 4km run a day non-stop for 6 months. I feel gross and I don’t know how to stop. I am afraid one day I stop exercise, depression will come back.

I feel that this is some sort of a psychological symptom which can be a concern. I do not know what to do now. i wonder if anyone has similar experiences and how to overcome the worry and fear? thank you.


5 Replies 5

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi, welcome

A very common problem and worry is the outcome and worry is non productive

Google- Beyondblue topic worry worry worry

I suggest that you visit your GP on this issue as we aren't psychologists, we are peer advisers with mental health issues ourselves that try to help out with our experiences and referrals based on that.

I hope you get such help soon.

Take care

TonyWK

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Sueetties,

Good to see you reaching out on the forum. It is a positive step towards gaining some help towards your worry. Worry is really common and a lot of people can self manage but when it starts interfering with your day to day life, it might be time to seek some additional support like TonyWK has mentioned.

Having a visit with your GP and describing your worry will help them to understand how you can gain some support. This might be through a psychologist or counsellor or even a group program.

There is another option if you are over 18 that is an online program called Mindspot. You require to register and can select a few treatment programs and some are tailored towards anxiety. This could be a start towards looking at symptoms of worry and learning about managing your symptoms in a structured way.

The forum is also a great place to learn strategies from other people’s experiences.

You have already taken some really positive steps towards improving your mental health and wellness and I encourage you to keep going so you can find the right balance. Whether it be through the forum, a GP, counsellor or psychologist, or other program, there are many options out there for you.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Skary Bill
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Sueetties, Boy O Boy, can I ever relate to the scale induced paranoia. I can honestly say step 1 is Don't get on those suckers 3-4 times a day.. There are just too many things that can lead to fluctuations, water weight, exercise and injury, Hormonal variations.. Heck even seasonal changes.

In the weight loss scene it is strongly advised to avoid weighing in too often for these sort of reasons. Personally, I found two helpful things.. One being routine. If your curiosity must be sated.. Weigh yourself no more than once a day. Same time of day. Perhaps just before a shower so you're wearing the same thing.

Part 2 is get a weight trending app for your phone if you have one. I use Libra on my Android phone. Every day I record my weigh in on that. It puts that info on a chart which allows me to see my trend and not worry about fluctuations.

Once you get a week or two of data, you can comfortably see whether your trend is gaining, losing or holding. Giving you peace of mind and plenty of advanced warning to possible long term gain.

Anyway, as for the exercise. As long as you're eating right and not hurting yourself, I think run as much as you enjoy. I hope some of that is useful. Take care.

Bill.

Thanks everyone’s input and advice.

I will look for the mindspot and try to weigh myself only once a day! Hopefully it can become a routine

🙂

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Sueetties, this is a good topic to discuss.

As you are taking antidepressants (AD) has the doctor been able to diagnose you, it may benefit us in helping you.

Geoff.