Weight Gain Related to Brain Injury and Use of Psychotropic Medications
Through a list-serve I am on I recently saw mention of what some of my clients have complained about — weight gain and body changes after taking psychotropic medications and/or having had a mild-traumatic brain injury. While there has been anecdotal evidence of weight gain related to antidepressants (as evidenced in psychotherapy practices) there has not been a great deal of credence given to this issue. Now information reported by the Brain Injury Association as well as “Clinical Psychiatry News” indicate there is some relationship between the two.
According to an article on the Brain Injury Association website and a consumer report published by the Research and Training Center on Community Integration of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (funded by both Mount Sinai Medical Center and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research) there is an increase in thyroid conditions, changes in weight, and chronic neuroendocrine difficulties occurring in primarily women some years post injury. The “Clinical Psychiatry News” also indicated that there is a prevalence of weight gain in those being prescribed newer psychotropic medications including the newer antipsychotics and antidepressants. The studies evaluating the relationship between weight gain and antidepressants vary widely from 8-87% of those taking SSRI medication.
These studies also support what I hear clinically — that individuals now crave carbohydrates and sweets. A study at McLean Hospital is investigating the use of a drink that contains 40g of simple and complex carbohydrates two to three times a day as well as a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-protein meal in the evening when cravings were found to be worst. In one study the average weight loss in a group of 200 people was 20 pounds after 14 weeks.
Another possible consideration is a plan such as that suggested by Diana Schwarzbein, MD in The Schwarzbein Principle. She suggests her plan may help heal metabolism and incorporates healthy nutrition, stress management, tapering off toxic chemicals, moderate exercise, and sometimes HRT. Regardless of approach, it appears we do need to continue to research and address this important issue.
According to an article on the Brain Injury Association website and a consumer report published by the Research and Training Center on Community Integration of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (funded by both Mount Sinai Medical Center and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research) there is an increase in thyroid conditions, changes in weight, and chronic neuroendocrine difficulties occurring in primarily women some years post injury. The “Clinical Psychiatry News” also indicated that there is a prevalence of weight gain in those being prescribed newer psychotropic medications including the newer antipsychotics and antidepressants. The studies evaluating the relationship between weight gain and antidepressants vary widely from 8-87% of those taking SSRI medication.
These studies also support what I hear clinically — that individuals now crave carbohydrates and sweets. A study at McLean Hospital is investigating the use of a drink that contains 40g of simple and complex carbohydrates two to three times a day as well as a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-protein meal in the evening when cravings were found to be worst. In one study the average weight loss in a group of 200 people was 20 pounds after 14 weeks.
Another possible consideration is a plan such as that suggested by Diana Schwarzbein, MD in The Schwarzbein Principle. She suggests her plan may help heal metabolism and incorporates healthy nutrition, stress management, tapering off toxic chemicals, moderate exercise, and sometimes HRT. Regardless of approach, it appears we do need to continue to research and address this important issue.