HomeBlogPatientDoes Depression Cause Weight Gain? Does Depression Cause Weight Gain? December 4, 2017Patient Ongoing research shows there may be a biological link between depression and gaining weight. While researchers still don’t understand fully the complex and tangled relationship between depression and weight gain, they do know “there are specific biological causes that link the weight gain with depression itself,” says Dr. Richard Shelton, vice chair for research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and a member of the UAB Nutrition Obesity Research Center. “It’s a reciprocal relationship.” In other words, the relationship between depression and obesity is interconnected. According to JAMA Psychiatry, a person who is depressed has an increased risk of becoming obese and a person who is obese has an increased risk of becoming depressed. There are a lot of behavioral reasons why depression could contribute to weight gain — a person who is depressed might not feel motivated to exercise or might seek comfort in foods that are high in fat and sugar. They may take antidepressant medication, which according to research published in JAMA Psychiatry show can cause modest weight gain. Likewise, social factors and physical problems associated with obesity – such as poor self-esteem, weight-related health problems, or trouble getting out to socialize – can negatively impact a person’s emotional state. But Dr. Shelton says the connection between obesity and depression appears to be biological, not behavioral. Researchers are still trying to understand exactly which biological mechanisms are to blame. Some people with depression have elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, which may help explain the weight gain, Dr. Shelton says. Or, he says, it could be that the sympathetic nervous system, which is more active in people with depression and which helps regulate metabolism, is to blame. While more research is needed to understand the role biological mechanisms play, Dr. Shelton says people suffering from depression can take steps to prevent weight gain. He recommends: Focus on diet. “If people are really intent on controlling this process they need to focus on their diet,” he says. He recommends avoiding processed foods and eating a whole food diet like the Mediterranean diet, which offers a wide variety of health benefits. Exercise. Exercise not only burns calories, it helps people manage their symptoms of depression by releasing “feel good” brain chemicals called endorphins and by providing distraction. Talk to your health care provider about adding cognitive behavioral therapy to your treatment plan. While weight management is important to overall health, Dr. Shelton cautions that individuals who have been prescribed antidepressants should continue to take their medication as directed. “A lot of the weight gain attributed to medication in the past is likely attributable to biological activity,” he says. Although they might notice an extra pound or two, chances are “it is not an enormous amount so always treat the depression to full remission.” Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... 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Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more
Patient Cyberbullying: Unique Challenges and Impacts ‘We lost our daughter to cyberbullying.’ McKenna Brown was an accomplished hockey player and scholar, known for her kindness, when she became the target of int... Read more
Going Beyond Green, Yellow, Red on the GeneSight Report This blog summarizes key points discussed during the March 2024 GeneSight® Engage webinar Participants: Bernie Ranchero, MD, MS, MBA, medical direc... Read more
Healthcare Provider Top 5 Reasons Patients Stop Their Mood Disorder Treatment Mood disorder treatment for depression can be challenging – and patients may become frustrated when treatments don’t work. In fact, when people with depres... Read more
Patient The Impact of Gratitude on Depression and Anxiety “Say ‘Thank you,” a mother reminds her young kiddo. “T.G.I.F.!” we cheer at the end of a long week. We know it’s important to be thankful. But do we ... Read more
Patient The Silent Thief: The 5 Things Depression Can Steal “Depression is a thief,” writes Abhinav Chaurasia, a marketing automation specialist in an essay on LinkedIn. “It steals your joy, your motivation, and your abi... Read more
Patient How to Talk to Your Doctor about Anxiety Medication “When I was 27, I felt bad all the time,” writes Joanna Goddard on the popular Cup of Jo blog. She describes her initial experience with anxiety in detail. ... Read more
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Patient Adult ADHD: Symptoms, treatment, where to start Many people may incorrectly think ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, only impacts children. After all, according to the Centers for Disease C... Read more
Healthcare Provider It’s time to talk suicide: addressing stigma around a difficult topic Trigger Warning: This webinar discusses suicide. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. ... Read more
Patient Stress Relief Methods for Family Caregivers Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding and meaningful experience. However, the day in and day out of taking care of someone who is unwell also can be challen... Read more
Healthcare Provider Healthcare Professional Burnout and Links to Depression When Dr. Lorna Breen, an ER doc in Manhattan, died by suicide in April 2020, it opened up a public discussion about the burdens faced by healthcare professi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Antidepressant Withdrawal or Depression Reoccurrence? What Healthcare Providers Should Know People who stop taking antidepressants may do so for many reasons: they may feel like it isn’t working, may feel unable to cope with side effects, or may not fe... Read more