Rodrigues Angela, Kohli Nikita, Watson Charlotte, Boynton Katie
Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2025 Jun;34(3):e70068. doi: 10.1111/inm.70068.
Antidepressants are widely prescribed for depression and anxiety, yet common side effects like weight gain can adversely affect physical and psychological health, highlighting the need for tailored weight management strategies for users. This study aims to explore these experiences, identify barriers and facilitators to effective weight management, assess the availability of weight management services, and understand the role of healthcare professionals in providing support. We conducted semi-structured interviews in the United Kingdom between May-August 2022 (female participants) and December 2023-February 2024 (male participants) with 13 adults prescribed antidepressants aged 19-62. Participants were purposively sampled for variation according to age, gender, type of medication, length of prescription and weight gain/loss. We audio recorded each interview, transcribed it verbatim, and analysed transcripts using thematic analysis. Participants' experiences emphasised the significant role of healthcare professionals in supporting weight management, with impacts ranging from helpful to counterproductive. Adults on antidepressants faced unique practical and psychological challenges, making weight management more complex than typical weight loss efforts. Many struggled to balance mental health needs with concerns about weight gain as a side effect, highlighting a strong need for more comprehensive and proactive support from healthcare providers in addressing medication-related weight changes. This study identifies key areas for supporting weight management in antidepressant users: enhancing proactive healthcare support, tailoring strategies to the unique challenges of antidepressant use and balancing mental and physical health priorities. Early intervention and regular monitoring could improve weight management experiences, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and a proactive role for healthcare providers.
抗抑郁药被广泛用于治疗抑郁症和焦虑症，然而体重增加等常见副作用会对身心健康产生不利影响，这凸显了为使用者制定量身定制的体重管理策略的必要性。本研究旨在探讨这些经历，确定有效体重管理的障碍和促进因素，评估体重管理服务的可获得性，并了解医疗保健专业人员在提供支持方面的作用。我们于2022年5月至8月（女性参与者）以及2023年12月至2024年2月（男性参与者）在英国对13名年龄在19至62岁、正在服用抗抑郁药的成年人进行了半结构化访谈。参与者根据年龄、性别、药物类型、处方时长以及体重增加/减轻情况进行了有目的的抽样，以确保多样性。我们对每次访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，并使用主题分析法对转录文本进行了分析。参与者的经历强调了医疗保健专业人员在支持体重管理方面的重要作用，其影响既有帮助性的，也有适得其反的。服用抗抑郁药的成年人面临着独特的实际和心理挑战，这使得体重管理比一般的减肥努力更为复杂。许多人难以在心理健康需求与对体重增加这一侧效应的担忧之间取得平衡，这凸显了医疗保健提供者在应对与药物相关的体重变化方面提供更全面、更积极支持的强烈需求。本研究确定了支持抗抑郁药使用者体重管理的关键领域：加强积极主动的医疗保健支持，根据使用抗抑郁药的独特挑战量身定制策略，以及平衡身心健康的优先事项。早期干预和定期监测可以改善体重管理体验，这凸显了针对性干预措施的必要性以及医疗保健提供者的积极作用。
