The Antidepressant Diet

I am exactly like you described - skinny all my life with no body issues until I took an SSRI and gained 30 pounds. I used to have a to-die-for body so gaining the weight hit me especially hard. I quit the drug and would never take one again.

Thank you for this post! I'll be reading your book!

I have recently been put on AD's, about four months ago and have gained 20 lbs. I just cant seem to stay full, and am hungry right after I eat. It's odd, I've always been able to control my hunger. My question is, what kind of food should I be eating to make myself full? Therapeutic carbohydrates are a vague example. Thanks for your help!

Serotonin is made when an amino acid, tryptophan, gets into the brain. The process is activated by insulin which is released when you eat aboutg 25 -30 grams of a starchy or sweet carbohydrate( but not fructose, the carb i fruit and corn syrups). And the carbs must be eaten with less than 2 grams of protein because protein prevents tryptophan from getting into the brain. No fat either just because that slows down digestion. A small baked white or sweet potato, cup of oatmeal, 3/4-1 cup of breakfast cereal, low fat granola bar, English muffin ( both sides), half a bagel and about 6 small graham crackers squares are examples of 'therapeutic' carbs . Read food labels. Our book has lists of snacks but this should help.

OMG, this is me.

I've never had a weight problem with my life...then the clinical depression hit. On lexapro for a year, and I've gained 25 pounds.

I'm debating going off the drug because I feel so awful about the weight. I'm totally checking out this book. Thank you!!!

Hi, Please don't go off your meds because of your weight. The mission of our book is to allow people to stay on their meds and lose weight. Hope our book is helpful. Thanks for your comments.

Thanks for your post Judith im feeling encouraged to keep trying. I stopped taking Lexapro over 6 months ago but my metabolism and system has not returned to normal. I was advised wieght gain was a side effect. 63kg would have been a top wieght of great distress in the past (mainly 60kg and under) but I am now over 67kg. Due to anorexia in the past I have always avoided scales - but have started to use them to monitor at great disbelief the lack of wieght loss despite food reduction and exercise. I have always been a whole food carb fan and will read your book closely to see where I am going wrong. As you mention I have always been considered slim and would be considered more active than average. Like most people my weight varies but previously even missing just a few meals would result in losing 2kg - that has changed dramatically - now missing meals or restricting meals to stock based soup and 2 peices of toast would change my weight only by half a kilo. This seems far too restrictive to be healthy?!

I cannot believe what I am reading. I used to be 65kg and never had to worry about my weight. I could eat anything and my weight remained stable. In 1989 I was diagnosed with depression and placed on zoloft. During that time I have had a few breaks from the meds. After an accident in 2007 I went back on them and now my weight is 83kgs (and that makes me feel like I have no confidence) My own mother is always putting me down because I am quote 'large'. she doesn't understand or acknowledge depression and maintains there is no such thing. Personally I think she has it. Consequently I avoid my family because they make fun of me. I really want to lose weight and am scared to go off the meds. I have extremely supportive husband and kids.

You are not alone is having to argue with those who refuse to believe that antidepressant medication can cause weight gain. Have your mother put on her reading glasses and read the small print that lists the side effects of the medication you are taking. It will say weight gain.
But although you may win the argument, you still have to do something about the weight. It will come off while you are on the medication. You do not have to stop taking it to get back to your normal weight. But you will have to follow a diet and exercise; the weight won't just slide off as it did before you started on medication.
If you find that you never feel full and crave carbs, then our diet might work for you. We explain in the Serotonin Power Diet that when serotonin is increased by eating a moderate amount of a starchy or even sweet carbohydrate, serotonin is made. And when it is made, it turns off the appetite and cravings. Please add exercise if you can to your weight loss efforts. Your health will improve, your bones will get stronger and even your mood will benefit. Please write again and tell us how you are doing.