Seeking advice in regards to weight gain from bipolar disorder medication

@Alex1991 Hi Alex1991 and welcome to the forums. I have bipolar1 and schizo and yes the medication has put on weight. Quite alot really but what I found was living on a strict diet of healthy food with the occasional snack really helps. Also living in the knowledge that having the symptoms of bipolar (bp) controlled with medication and some weight gain is better than being unmedicated and being out of control.

Her self image will be taking a battering so stay positive with gentle walking regimes together are best and of course being realistic about what can and cannot be done with this illness.

All the best.

greenpea

Hi @Alex1991,

I have bipolar 1 and have gained about 40kgs in the past eight years on the meds prescribed. I'm now in the process of changing one to try to halt this weight gain. Early days so far but I am hopeful of some improvement over time.

I've also been on the SANE forums for about 3-4 years now. I can tell you that weight gain is the single most complained about problem with psych medications.

In my view, the best thing you can do for your partner is to completely support them regardless of weight gain, which really can be unavoidable. Gentle encouragement of exercise and small eating is probably the only other thing that can be done, aside from talking to the psychiatrist about the problem. They may be able to prescribe a different medication, but that would depend on how things are with your partner's mental health.

I've walked the beach across the road from me hundreds of times in the past few years, keeping up the exercise. I eat small due to Crohns Disease. Still, the weight has continued to pile on. Try to show them you still love them regardless of how much weight they gain, as it is really horrible for the person experiencing the weight gain. They are still the same person, just more to love.

hello @Mazarita, @Alex1991, @Former-Member, @Bunniekins