Sameer Khan Sameer Khan Asked 10 months ago

Does anxiety medicine cause weight gain?

My cousin recently started taking medicine for his anxiety, and he's gained a lot of weight. Is it common for anxiety medications to lead to weight gain?

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7 answers

Rohan Deshpande Rohan Deshpande Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago
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Yes, some SSRIs can slow down your metabolism slightly or increase cravings. I tracked my daily calorie intake on my fitness app when I started my meds and noticed I was eating 300 calories more without realizing it. I'd suggest tracking your daily steps and food for a couple of weeks to manage it easily.

Preeti Sharma Preeti Sharma Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

Haan, weight gain to ho sakta hai starting mein. Actually, these medicines calm down your nervous system, toh hunger levels thoda badh jaate hain na. But don't worry too much, simple walk and ghar ka khana khane se things stay totally under control.

Aditya Kapoor Aditya Kapoor Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

It definitely makes those midnight cravings much harder to resist! When I was on my anxiety treatment, my love for parathas and sweets went to another level altogether. The medicine makes you feel relaxed, which somehow translates to 'let us eat delicious food' for our brain. Just keep healthy snacks nearby so you don't overindulge.

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Neha Joshi Neha Joshi Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I was actually reading a lot of forums about this yesterday because my doctor also suggested some mild anti-anxiety meds. It seems like a very common concern, but many people say it depends on the exact brand and family of the drug. Some cause no change at all, while others might cause a slight increase.

Srinivas Rao Srinivas Rao Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Please don't believe all these random internet comments telling you to stop your medicine or take herbal teas to prevent weight gain. Every medicine has a different formula, and only your psychiatrist can tell you which one has minimal side effects. Talk to your doctor openly instead of worrying about online horror stories.

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Kriti Sen Kriti Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Hey, I completely understand your worry because I was also terrified of putting on weight when I started my therapy. Yes, my weight went up by a few kilos, but my mental peace was so worth it. I just started doing 30 minutes of yoga daily and the weight eventually settled down.

Vijay Gupta Vijay Gupta Joined May 2026 5 months ago

If you are worried about weight gain, it is smart to plan ahead rather than buying expensive fat burners or changing diets randomly. Get a basic thyroid and lipid profile test done first, which costs around 600-800 rupees at a local lab. If those are normal, then simple portion control and regular walks will keep you fit without extra costs.

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