Anti-depressants - have heard that the side effects are weight gain and hair los!

Anti-depressants - have heard that the side effects are weight gain and hair loss. any truth in this?

Just concerned that the cons outweigh the pros

2 weeks ago
As a reuslt of being depressed (without having yet taken any meds)...I am so stressed that I grind my teeth, cannot sleep, have anxiety attacks, have no libido at all, have put on 4 stone (56lbs) in weight due to comfort eating and drinking

There are many anti-depressants that can be taken which do not have the side effects that you are concerned about, namely weight-gain and hair loss. It is important to remember that every drug has side effects, but not everyone experiences these side effects.

Depression can be successfully treated and there are a number of anti-depressants that your psychiatrist or general practitioner can prescribe. It is important to voice your concerns to your doctor and look at the options that are available. Most anti-depressants take a significant time to kick in, and the first few days are usually a bit rough, namely you may experience odd sensations, and feel slightly disorientated for a while. However, these symptoms do pass.

I recommend that you try an antidepressant called Citalopram as this has few side effects and also treats with depression that may have an anxiety component. However, it has also been shown that talking therapies in conjunction with medication help people affected by depressive illness. I suggest you talk through your options with your doctor and go from there.

You need to take the medication as prescribed and be monitored by your doctor regularly. You also need to take the medication for a considerable time even if symptoms elevate.

The very best of luck!