Coping Strategies Always snacking after being on antipsychotics
Hi all! I’ve been on the antipsychotic for 5 months now and I’ve noticed that I have been so snackish. It’s like a type of hunger, like I am compelled to eat.
I eat regular meals but my appetite is small. However, I CRAVE sweet or salty snacks. I’ve tried fruits but I really feel insatiable. I have gained weight but my psychiatrist doesn’t want to sacrifice my mental health over the weight gain.
Aside from antipsychotic, I’m on an antidepressant and a mood stabilizater too. I take my meds regularly.
Any tips or insights? :(
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u/Jumpy-Selection-1424 1d ago
my med essentially gives me the munchies. I take it before bed so I'll sleep thru it and then I can eat normally the next day
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u/Tough-Board-82 Bipolar + Comorbidities 23h ago
This
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u/Tough-Board-82 Bipolar + Comorbidities 23h ago
Well I take it with food right before bed.
Sometimes I am still compelled to eat when I am half asleep. The struggle is real.
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u/NotMyFirst_LastName 1d ago
I agree with this approach but still wander to the kitchen for snacks. No matter how much I eat before or after taking them, I still snack. I at least try to be healthy and keep peanuts next to my bed. But the fridge still calls to me.
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u/Jumpy-Selection-1424 1d ago
I have a baby that wakes up to nurse and that first wakeup usually involves granola bars or spoonfuls of peanut butter 🤣
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u/hispanglotexan Bipolar 1d ago
I’ve had this discussion with my psych as well. She also told me she doesn’t want to sacrifice my mental health by changing/stopping my meds, which I agree with, but man, the increased appetite and weight gain is no joke. I gained 50 lbs in 2 years after starting antipsychotics. I went from a normal, healthy weight to becoming obese, but at least I’m not manic, I guess.
My psych recommended I see a GP to talk about weight loss medication since I am struggling to lose the weight on my own, which has me feeling heartbroken.
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u/dispqtch 1d ago
i think the weight loss medication is a good idea, as the most common ones on the market are appetite suppressants. i got sent to a dietitian during anti pyschotic weigh gain and it did nothing, all she told me was don’t eat nuts or some stupid shit. if it’s not appetite suppressants, the one you hear about a LOT basically tricks your mind into thinking it’s full and slows digestion, the only common side effect i see with that specific one is bowel problems
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1d ago edited 4h ago
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u/_diwa 17h ago
I started out skinny so I guess my psych didn’t see the need for weight loss meds…
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16h ago edited 4h ago
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u/_diwa 16h ago
I will start taking this seriously. Thank you.
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u/Fun-Dare-7864 4h ago
I’m leaving this sr bc they’re targeting my comments for rule violations and deleting them. You’re just gonna have to look on other SRs that arent so hardcore pro-med. I’m surprised these comments even got through. Be careful with your health. Future you depends on the choices you make today.
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u/bipolar-ModTeam 9h ago
We believe that you deserve support. To get that support most effectively from our community, we request that you make the following modifications to your post to avoid triggering or inflaming others.
Per community poll, we no longer allow the discussion of specific weights. Please edit your post to remove this information. Thank you for understanding.
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u/bipolar-ModTeam 9h ago
Your post was removed because it offers medical advice to other members. While it’s okay to share what’s worked for you personally, r/bipolar isn’t a space for recommending treatments, dosages, or care plans.
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1
u/bipolar-ModTeam 9h ago
We believe that you deserve support. To get that support most effectively from our community, we request that you make the following modifications to your post to avoid triggering or inflaming others.
Per community poll, we no longer allow the discussion of specific weights. Please edit your post to remove this information. Thank you for understanding.
To send us a modmail about this action, CLICK HERE Please include a link in your message, the mod team will not reply to messages without a link for review.
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u/dispqtch 1d ago
protein. your appetite will lessen if you eat protein rich meals. if u gain 20kg that’s the point where i’d try to get off it, pysch medication already causes a lot of lifelong issues, especially in the kidney and you don’t want any serious physical side effects plaguing you
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u/Upset_Pumpkin_4938 Bipolar w/Bipolar Loved One 1d ago
My doc wants me to let them know right away if I gain anything more than a few pounds. She feels the weight gain makes my mental health worse, and it does. We would be switching meds if I started to gain weight like I did before on a stabilizer, which left me feeling like I didn’t recognize myself
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u/spicygayunicorn 1d ago
They are famous for having that side effect, I only take mine as needed but dread it after I take it it's not cheap having the need to snack all the time
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u/DMTipper 21h ago
That's what antipsychotics do. Make you hungry and they have anabolic effects on terms of gaining fat. I lost a bunch after getting off them. They could pull me out of mania but they leave me feeling shitty forever and fat.
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u/InhaleTheNight 21h ago
I had this issue when I had to increase my antipsychotic to a really high dose. I was only on it for sleep not regular reasons so I just got off it completely actually and went back to normal/no constant food noise. As far as tips if you have to stay on that, I don’t have any but sending you good vibes and hope you get some good tips from others
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23h ago
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u/bipolar-ModTeam 19h ago
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22h ago
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u/AutoModerator 22h ago
Some mental health medications state that you CAN NOT do the Keto Diet. This diet does not work for everyone and is not compatible with all medications; PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ANY DIET.
According to a 2018 article in Psychology Today by Georgia Ede, MD, most psychiatric medications don't come with any risks when a person is on a ketogenic diet. But there are a few exceptions.
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■ Some antipsychotic medications, such as risperidone (Risperdal— Janssen), aripiprazole (Abilify— Otsuka), and quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel—Astrazeneca), which “can increase insulin levels in some people and contribute to insulin resistance, which can make it harder for the body to turn fat into ketones.”
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u/bipolar-ModTeam 9h ago
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u/SaltHospital9497 15h ago
Yea so like many people have already stated, same here. I gain almost 60 lbs in less than 2 years and guess what I discovered…? Being very overweight is also horrible for one’s mental health. 😞💔
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u/sdbabygirl97 14h ago
ask your psychiatrist if they can put you on a diabetes med to counteract the antipsychotic. i dont mean like the ones celebs use though, i mean one that inhibits gluconeogenesis (production of glucose by the liver) and improves insulin sensitivity.
as always ofc, consult w ur doctor whats best for you though. but i gained weight on my antipsychotic and complained abt it to my doc and now im on a diabetes med.
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