Obesity and Bipolar Disorder
Sunday July 8, 2007
Do you stress about your weight? If our forum discussions are any indication, I think the vast majority of us worry about gaining weight most especially when it is caused or exacerbated by the meds we’ve been prescribed that are suppose to help us. And I would bet that the majority of us have also experienced the indifferent or dismissive medical personnel who believe either that we should not focus on our weight when mental stability is in question or that the possibility of weight gain due to prescriptions is exaggerated. I’ve personally heard both comments. So I can’t tell you how pleased I was this morning to find a research study that actually addresses this reality.
Susan McElroy MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, looks at data from studies about the relationship between obesity and bipolar disorder. The National Comorbidity Replication Study clearly highlights the prevalence of eating disorders in those with bipolar disorder. Another report indicated that Bipolar disorder had the highest odds ratio of all psychiatric disorders studied in patients with obesity. It is also noted that a great deal more investigation is needed. This article, Bipolar Disorder and Its Comorbidities, is available through Medscape (subscription required).
Comments
I’d started to leave a comment about the hassle of having to subscribe to read an article referenced in your entry.
Then I registered.
Excellent article. Thank you.
Wellbutrin is an anti depressant that has a “side effect” of weight loss.
I lost two inches when I switched to it, and I have bipolar.
For some people it might make them hypo manic or manic so it might not be the best anti depressant, but it might be worth a try to find out first hand.
The maker is trying now to get FDA approval to market it as a weight loss drug, due to it’s “side effect.”
But my guess is that is not a side effect at all, but that many overweight people really just need their dopamine and/or norapenephrine boosted, and that once at a more normal level, brain chemistry is responsible for the overweight.
Since being put on meds like Zyprexa and Risperdol and Seroquel, among others, I have managed to gain 75 #’s. I have yet to lose it, because everytime my meds change, which has been frequently, I gain more weight! I gained 30 pounds on zyprexa the first month iI was on it. Now my medical doc has dx me with type 2 diabetes and has told me I have to lose all that weight, and go on a 1200 calorie diet. I’m bummed.
If its not eating its drinking. Its the endless search to feel better when the meds are not working. All any of us want is for someone to really get us i think…i have never found that. I eat and drink more then i should to block the feelings… looks like i need a trip to the doc. And dont get me started on health care and coverage…thats a freakin joke in WA!