Antidepressants are the most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. for people between the ages of 18 and 44, and more than 10 percent of Americans are on them at any given time. And yet, some people who desperately need to be taking them are afraid to start because certain types of antidepressants have been associated with weight gain.
Thus, a bitter cycle ensues: You’re depressed, so you get on antidepressants. You get “fat,” which doesn’t help the depression. And repeat.
Also see how antidepressants affect teenage sexuality and the role of REM sleep in alleviating depression, then read up on how advances in mood science are helping us better understand depression.