Depression… Obesity… Type 2 Diabetes. It sounds like almost one third of every patient I have ever seen. Now the kicker… mostly women. Middle aged women are more at risk for all 3 before mentioned ailments. We need to do something now and stop this cyclical pattern!

Go get yourself some anti depressants you say? Now although I do agree with and absolutely stand behind the use of such medications, they are not always the answer.

Certain SSRI’s and many other anti depressants, not to mention atypical antipsychotic medications (AAP), have side effects such as weight gain, glucose intolerance and metabolic changes. Ugh!!!

It really comes down to lifestyle changes.I strongly believe you need to modify your life in conjunction with medications if needed. Also, one anti depressant is totally different from another. Find what works for you. I have said this a bazillion, as my kids say, times before… Be your own advocate. Be persistent, in their face, ask questions and demand to be listened to. Remember to say please and thank you though ’cause us nurses are really big on that, haha.

Here is a tidbit of research out of the Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China that goes along with the whole lifestyle change idea…

“Lifestyle intervention and metformin alone and in combination demonstrated efficacy for antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Lifestyle intervention plus metformin showed the best effect on weight loss,” the authors conclude. “Metformin alone was more effective in weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity than lifestyle intervention alone.”

via Center for the Advancement of Health and JAMA and Archives Journals

Depression affects our physical selves as well as our emotional welfare. I know this from first hand experience. James Robinson of the Salient reports, “The use of anti-depressants grows each year at an increasing and ever-astounding rate. In the United States, the anti-depressant ‘industry’ is worth 14 billion dollars in sales a year.” Could antidepressent treatment provide benefits beyond just mood improvement?

A study of type 2 diabetics with depression confirms that depression has a negative impact on glycemic (blood sugar) control, researchers report, and “affirms the importance of depression management in diabetic patients in its potential to improve glycemic control.”

With the use of antidepressant medication, many patients have a better self image which leads to better diet, exercise and ultimately weight loss. The antidepressant Wellbutrin has had a positive effect in my life. I started on Wellbutrin after the birth of my third daughter. I was a bit frazzled and overwhelmed, to say the least. Well, three kids in three years, who wouldn’t be? Wellbutrin helped me through a rough spot in my life, as well as “triggering” a 50 pound weight loss. My type 2 diabetes is now controlled by diet and exercise. My average blood sugar daily is 85. Yes, I am tooting my own horn!

“This confirms our hypothesis that depression improvement can produce better glycemic control, independent of favorable changes in weight and diabetes self care,” Lustman noted. “Improvement in depression was the key to achieving longer term improvements in glucose control.”

via Reuters Health