Weight Gain

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World Mental Health Day

When every region on this planet has an adequate amount of mental health facilities, therapists, and medicine to treat its citizens, perhaps we can then say we’re entering a phase of global health success!  Many people are living in war-torn areas, while others are dealing with natural disasters.  These calamities take a toll on a person’s mental health.  That is one reason why mental health experts are especially important for these global residents.

The References

The following resources have a wealth of information for individuals experiencing mental health conditions, for those providing emotional support to loved ones who’ve been diagnosed, and others without conditions who simply wish to become more knowledgeable regarding mental health sciences.  

The Importance Of Relaxing

The following nature video (Relaxing Tree, 2020) is a reminder that visiting parks and listening to the sounds of nature can become a vital ingredient in having and maintaining calmness for positive mental health.  It can become a method of getting away from it all periodically!

[VIDEO:  4K RELAXING NATURE SOUNDS – SHORT VIDEO CLIPS OF NATURE:  SOURCE:  RELAXING TREE, 2020]

Other forms of relaxation can involve meditating, engaging in yoga exercises, participating in arts such as sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading publications from favorite bookstores, and taking a walk after dinner, which can help reduce a few calories as an added benefit.  Listening to quiet music, cooking/baking, gardening, housework, painting, sculpting, coloring in a coloring book, landscaping, drawing, building furniture, writing in a spiral notebook about one’s feelings and experiences, and watching television are also forms of relaxation.  

A Person Should Never Label Oneself

An important aspect to remember is that just because a person is diagnosed with a mental health condition doesn’t suggest even remotely that they are a mental health condition.  What the diagnosis means is that it’s another one of life’s challenges.  

A Person Should Never Blame Themselves, Nor Compare Themselves

Some people will experience influenza and will suffer from symptoms temporarily.  It could be because they’re younger, have no prior history of respiratory issues, and lack a compromised immune system.  Conversely, other people may have a longer bout of the illness since they have a prior history of respiratory issues, they’re older, and already have a compromised immune system.  

In a similar vein, each person who is diagnosed with a mental health condition may have a different reason for their mental health condition.  For example, a person could be diagnosed with schizophrenia because they also have a form of Alzheimer’s Disease (i.e., comorbidity–more than one condition).  Another person is diagnosed with schizophrenia because they have a sibling (twin) or a parent who was diagnosed with the condition years earlier (i.e., genetics).  In taking the conversation in another direction, a person could be diagnosed with mild depression and needs medication temporarily because it began with becoming overwhelmed by life.  They experienced too many negative personal life events.  And then for another person diagnosed with depression, they may have to use prescriptions for the rest of their life because their brain chemistry has changed dramatically. 

The associations, the causations, the bottom-up (i.e., physical illness bringing on the mental health condition), and other explanations are too involved and nuanced for the “How did this person acquire a mental health condition?”  Thus, there can be any number of reasons why a person acquired a mental health difficulty, and it may not be a similar reason for other people with the same condition.  Also, there could be situations where there are no known current explanations why someone ended up with a mental health condition, because those reasons are waiting for scientific discovery.

Getting Rid Of Stigmas

In the constant struggle to remove the stigma that remains in society concerning mental health challenges, people with psychiatric issues need to remember that they are not alone.  Everyone has some form of mental health issue.  Some mental health issues are minor, others are large, while others are dealing with comorbidity.  Whatever the circumstance, everyone has something they’re dealing with.  A person needs to keep going and live their life to the best of their ability!

There Is No Room For Negativity

Anyone who would make comments that a person with a mental health condition needs to “Get over it” or some other form of mocking/psychological abuse is not someone who should be in anyone’s social circle during the adjustment and recovery phase, and that could be for a lifetime.  When a person is dealing with a psychiatric issue, they need supportive individuals who provide empathy and lots of encouragement.  Actually, the toxic entities could be individuals who contributed to the mental health condition.

A Mental Health Issue Is Not Necessarily Psychiatric, Requiring Medication

A psychiatric issue occurs when the brain chemistry has changed (i.e., an imbalance of a specific neurotransmitter) and a clinical therapist is required (i.e., psychiatrist).  For instance, a person diagnosed with schizophrenia has an imbalance of dopamine (an imbalance of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia).  Thus, medication is necessary to create a healthy brain chemistry.  Other people may have phobias (i.e., height, insects, certain animals, specific places, etc.), and a psychologist would be suggested for learning techniques in removing said phobias.  A psychologist is ideal when experiencing relationship difficulties.  A psychologist might be used for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a client learn new thinking strategies in maneuvering life, along with achieving goals.

The following is a video that talks about psychotherapy, which is a completely different brand of therapy altogether:

[VIDEO:  WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?  SOURCE:  PSYCH HUB, 2020]

Family Members Becoming Involved In Their Loved Ones’ Journey

It cannot be emphasized enough that family members can make important contributions when a person is diagnosed with a psychiatric condition.  Members can provide a guardrail of sorts in making certain that individuals keep doctor’s appointments with therapists and take prescribed medications.  They can even attend these doctor appointments with their loved ones.  The person diagnosed with a psychiatric condition can believe that they have partners in gaining a positive quality of life.  In extreme cases, a family member may need to obtain conservatorship.  All of these suggestions can avoid potential tragic situations with law enforcement, which we hear all too often in the media.

Weight Gain From Medications Is A Possibility, Although…

People who are diagnosed with a psychiatric condition need to ask the therapist for prescriptions that have a much lower possibility of weight gain.  Many of these psychotropics and antidepressants (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024) are not only responsible for a larger waistline, but also for the possibility of experiencing metabolic syndrome because of the additional weight gain (i.e., higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar leading to cardiovascular issues) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025).   Conversely, a psychotropic and antidepressant may not necessarily cause actual weight gain.  Taking these medications can result in a complete change to the body’s metabolism.  Some individuals can experience fatigue, water retention, hormonal changes, and other modifications without additional calories to their diet (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024).

As an aside, imagine the middle-aged woman who was already experiencing metabolic syndrome because of weight gain from hormonal changes (menopause), and is now prescribed an antidepressant or psychotropic.  She will have to worry about even more weight gain difficulties, and unfortunately, could become a likely candidate for cardiovascular issues, and worse.

An Important No-No

If a person wants to go off their medication, that procedure needs to be done with the guidance of the therapist and gradually!  Waking up one morning and deciding to cease taking medication can send an individual spiraling out of control, and with tragic consequences to themselves and others.

Finally, dealing with a mental health condition, especially one that has altered the brain chemistry, is rough!  Having said that, once a person has gained clarity through doctor visits and taking medication, a person could use their condition and start anew with living their life instead of merely existing!  

Here’s wishing you good health, love, and lots of understanding!

Vikki

References

American Academy Of Neurology.  (2025).  Brain Health For All.  Retrieved From https://www.aan.com/

American Psychological Association. (2025).  We promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.  Retrieved From apa.org

Behavioral Scientist.  (2025).  Health.  Retrieved From https://behavioralscientist.org/topics/health/

Better Health Channel.  (2022).  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).  Retrieved From https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cognitive-behaviour-therapy

Bright Horizons Psychiatry. (2024).  Managing Weight Gain Caused By Psychiatric Medication.  Retrieved From https://brighthorizonspsychiatry.com/managing-weight-gain-caused-by-psychiatric-medication/

Cleveland Clinic.  (2025).  Metabolic Syndrome.  Retrieved From https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10783-metabolic-syndrome

deVries, L. P., van de Weijer, M. P., and Bartels, M.  (2022).  The Human Physiology Of Well-Being: A Systematic Review On The Association Between Neurotransmitters, Hormones, Inflammatory Markers, The Microbiome And Well-Being.  (Vol. 139). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104733  Retrieved From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422002226

Europe’s Journal Of Psychology.  (2025).  An Online-Only, Open-Access Journal For Scientific Inquiries Into A Wide Range Of Topics In Psychology – Free Of Charge For Authors And Readers.  Retrieved From https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop

Healthcare Communications Network.  (2025).  Psychiatry.  Retrieved From https://hcn.health/hcn-trends-story/category/psychiatry/

Healthline.  (2025).  Mental Well-Being.  Retrieved From https://www.healthline.com/mental-health

JAMA Network.  (2025).  Psychiatry.  Retrieved From https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry

MDPI.  (2025).  Journal Of Behavioral Sciences.  Retrieved From https://mdpi.com/journal/behavsci

MedicalNewsToday.  (2025).  Mental Health.  Take Care Of Your Mental Well-Being With Evidenced-Backed Resources.  Retrieved From https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/mental-health

Miller, C. (2025).  Mental Health Disorders And Teen Substance Use.  Why It’s Especially Tempting – And Risky – For Kids With Emotional Or Behavioral Challenges.  Retrieved From https://childmind.org/article/mental-health-disorders-and-substance-use/

National Alliance On Mental Illness.  (2025).  Dissociative Disorders.  Retrieved From https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-conditions/dissociative-disorders/

Neuroscience News.  (2025).  Latest Neuroscience News.  Retrieved From https://neurosciencenews.com/

NewScientist.  (2025).  Mind.  Retrieved From https://www.newscientist.com/subject/mind/

Psyche.  (2025).  Know Your Self.  Retrieved From https://psyche.co/

Psych Hub.  (2020, November 3).  What Is Psychotherapy?  [VIDEO].  Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmHcB8aOlkI

Psychiatrist.  (2025).  Just Published.  Retrieved From https://www.psychiatrist.com/

Relaxing Tree.  (2020, October 10).  4K Relaxing Nature Sounds – Short Video Clips Of Nature.  [VIDEO].  Retrieved From https://youtu.be/nqye02H_H6I?si=iHaQAgPVoU025-mF

ScienceDaily.  (2025). Mind & Brain News.  Retrieved From https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/

Smithsonian Magazine.  (2025).  Science/Mind & Body.  Retrieved From smithsonianmag.com/category/mind-body

Taylor & Francis Online.  The Journal Of Social Psychology.  Latest Articles.  Retrieved From https://www.tandfonline.com/action/showAxaArticles?journalCode=vsoc20

The British Psychological Society.  (2025).  Explore Psychological Publications.  Retrieved From https://explore.bps.org.uk/

The Scientist.  (2025).  Exploring Life, Inspiring Innovation.  Retrieved From https://www.the-scientist.com/tag/psychology

Therapy In A Nutshell.  (2025).  No One Ever Taught You How To Regulate Your Emotions.  Let’s Change That Today.  Retrieved From https://therapyinanutshell.com/

Thompson, D.  (2025).  Industrial Chemical Linked To Parkinson’s Disease.  Retrieved From https://www.medicinenet.com/industrial_chemical_linked_to_parkinsons_disease/news.htm

Wiley Online Library.  (2025)  Psychiatry.  Retrieved From https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/doSearch?AllField=psychiatry

World Health Organization.  (2025).  Bipolar Disorder.  Retrieved From https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/bipolar-disorder

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WEIGHT GAIN IS MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN MERELY EATING FOOD

All too often, people say that overweight individuals need to pull themselves away from the dining room table.  However, let’s look at other available alternatives that can cause weight gain.

Prescribed medications are one of the explanations for overweight individuals:  Thyroid medication, birth control, arthritis, pain management, anti-depressants, and others are responsible for those additional pounds.

Also, peri-menopausal and menopausal women can increase pounds because of hormones not being released from the body.

The situation can become more complex for individuals when they have to take more than one of these medications.  The potential is there that they can double their weight gain.

What needs to be addressed is that because of the additional weight gain, there’s the possibility of these individuals experiencing higher blood sugar levels, cardio issues, and blood pressure conditions (i.e., metabolic syndrome) which they did not have before taking any of these medications.  Further, these individuals will now have to be prescribed additional medications for diabetes, cardio, and blood pressure.

As if that weren’t enough medical drama, a person with diabetes can experience personality changes until their blood sugar is deemed at a healthy level through diet and, yes, those other prescribed medications by their physician.

It can become quite an exhausting health odyssey and it’s all because of those initial medications!

Vikki

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Psychiatric Medications and the Youth Population*

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While psychiatric medicines such as Lithium, Abilify and Risperidone exist designed specifically for younger consumers, pharmaceuticals need to create safer ones.  A young person’s brain isn’t fully developed until their early twenties.  The body as a whole should have the capacity to withstand medications. Presently, many youth experience toxicity, weakened bones, and neurological challenges from appropriate drug usage.  Kidney damage, at times irreversible, is one of the consequences from Lithium.

All medications have side effects and not every user will experience them.  However, side effects associated with psychotropic drugs can be greatly reduced with newer medicines targeted for this segment of the population.

*First-generation psychiatric drugs went on the market before the late 1980’s. These medications can result in neurological problems.  Second generation psychiatric drugs went on the market after the late 1980’s. These medications can result in weight gain, diabetes, elevated levels of cholesterol, and neurological problems. 

Vikki

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Weight Gain Is More Complex Than The Food We Eat

images Food

All of us “gain weight” at some point in our lives.  When we pursue a fitness program, remain under the daily allotted 3,600 calories, and take a B Complex B-12 vitamin (check with physician first), we can lose weight and those excess inches.  However, there are individuals who gain weight, and it’s not primarily food causing the additional pounds.  Let’s review some of the reasons family and friends experience this problem to raise awareness.

Behavioral Activation System (BAS).  Many individuals believe that our stomach is the only part of the body to inform us when we’re full from eating.  Actually, it’s the brain which informs the stomach.  Unfortunately, there are individuals who may experience Binge Eating Disorder (BED) because of a heightened neurobehavioral process dependent upon dopamine.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for individuals who experience this illness.  In addition, there may be candidates for a Deep Brain Stimulation Implant (pacemaker) if CBT proves ineffective.

Blood Sugar Irregularities.  It’s important that we eat a high-fiber breakfast every morning, even if it’s a small portion.  The meal provides the necessary energy for appropriate blood sugar (glucose) levels in our bodies.  Our pancreas generate the insulin hormone which carries the glucose into the body’s cells to use for energy.  When insulin goes into high gear during the process, it ceases to burn fat and places the fat into storage.  This isn’t a problem since we need a certain amount of fat in our systems.  The challenge arises when insulin goes into high gear creating too much blood sugar.  This blood sugar fails to get removed from blood, with blood sugar and insulin at unhealthy levels.  The results are sluggishness and a desire for sugary snacks, creating more body weight. Yogurt, oatmeal, raspberries are some of the high-fiber foods we can snack on at regular intervals throughout the day.

Child Abuse.  Children can experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when subjected to abuse.  The condition can result in nightmares.  Nightmares result in a lack of sleep.  The lack of sleep results in calories stored as unhealthy quantities of fat.

Farmed Fish.  We naturally assume fish that’s cared for is healthier for our menu. However, not only can we experience osteoporosis and kidney stones because of what’s fed to the fish, we can also gain additional pounds.

Hormonal Adjustments in Menopause.  Women have the highest levels of estrogen in their early twenties.  As each year passes, the hormonal level decreases.  When females enter the menopausal stage, hormones may not release from the brain causing weight gain, or as some studies have suggested, an increase of belly fat.  A temporary Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) program can bring relief from the additional pounds.  Women should ask physicians what the risks are since the program is controversial, determine whether HRT is appropriate for their health needs, and learn about safer options worth exploring.

Lack of Sleep in Adults.  The medical community has suggested that if we sleep less than five hours, or more than nine, we can become overweight.  Too little sleep means calories turning into excess fat, and too much sleep can develop an insatiable appetite.

Prescribed Medications.  Antidepressants, pain management, birth control, allergy, blood pressure, and other medications can cause weight gain.  It’s advisable to always ask the physician if there are effective alternatives of medication which don’t produce weight gain, or far less pounds.

Soft Drinks.  Most of us enjoy a soft drink every once and again.  However, for the individual who enjoys these beverages frequently, there is an additional ingredient they may not be aware of contributing to weight problems:  Alcohol.  This ingredient is in most popular brands of soft drinks.  A trace amount of alcohol is all that’s required for addiction in members of the population, and too often they’re children.

Thyroid.  Women of all ages can experience thyroid problems.  When hormones have difficulty gaining release from the thyroid, excess weight is the consequence.  Including protein with every meal, eating within an hour after waking every morning, eating at regular intervals, and steaming broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower are some of the remedies for getting the thyroid in balance.

The advancement of science has allowed us to realize that no longer can we immediately assume that weight gain is caused by food consumption alone.  There are many perspectives to address the subject, and we can look forward to new discoveries.

Vikki