Psychiatric Drugs and Weight Gain

"Weight gain is a well-recognized side effect of antipsychotic medications, especially "atypical" antipsychotics, such as quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa) and risperidone (Risperdal). The cause of such weight gain isn't fully understood."Mayo Clinic. "People who take antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of a variety of mental illnesses may be at increased risk for obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol – all of which can lead to heart disease." So says the American Diabetes Association.

I've been on psych drugs for 10 years, and have gained 65 pounds during this time. Seroquel is one of the drugs I take, and I agree, it is bad news when it comes to weight gain. Part of it is an increased appetite, so dieting is extra difficult.

The same Mayo Clinic article has some hopeful news. It states, "a 2008 study from China indicates that treatment with the diabetes drug metformin in addition to dietary changes and increased physical activity may be effective in reversing or reducing weight gain in some people who take antipsychotic medications."

We will see if this catches on in the US or not.

Fox News has an article on the internet which talks about women gaining weight on these drugs, but not men. It is found here.

I have read different internet forums related to psychiatric drugs and weight gain. Many a contributor to the forums have posted about weight gains as huge as mine, and there is a whole lot of complaining about how difficult it is to lose the weight.

So what can be done?