Q. When I developed symptoms of severe depression, a top psychiatrist focused only on my anxiety and prescribed antipsychotics. I gained 60 pounds in three months.
My depression expanded as if the doctor had applied helium to my blue balloon. Obesity made me unrecognizable and I went back to smoking. I was disgusted with myself.
My next physician paid attention to my nightmare and took me off the antipsychotics. I lost 30 pounds in three months. I’ve survived this ordeal, but I still have a long way to go to get back to normal. I wish doctors would be more careful when prescribing antipsychotic medications.
A. Second-generation antipsychotic medications such as Abilify, Geodon, Seroquel and Zyprexa have been linked to serious weight gain, obesity and type 2 diabetes (Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Sept. 2010). We’re sorry you have suffered such a nightmare. People need to be warned about this complication before they start taking drugs like these for depression.
