Symptoms:
of psychogenic weight gain manifest primarily through changes in eating behaviors and emotional responses. Individuals experiencing psychogenic weight gain may engage in frequent episodes of emotional eating, where food consumption becomes a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or depression. This often leads to the consumption of high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods, contributing to excessive caloric intake and weight gain over time. Emotional distress, such as chronic stress or depression, can also disrupt normal eating patterns, leading to irregular meal times or skipped meals followed by overeating later. Additionally, psychogenic weight gain can be accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame related to eating habits, further perpetuating the cycle of emotional eating and weight gain. These symptoms highlight the intricate relationship between psychological states and dietary behaviors in influencing body weight and overall health.
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Management and Treatment:
Managing psychogenic weight gain involves a multifaceted approach: psychotherapy, diet change, exercise and medications. Medications that can help treat psychogenic weight gain are often focused on addressing the underlying psychological factors contributing to the weight gain. For example, certain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) may be prescribed, as it is known to have a more favorable profile concerning weight compared to other antidepressants. Weight loss medications like orlistat or newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) may also be considered in some cases. Medications used to treat Binge Eating Disorder (BED) include lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) are commonly prescribed off-label to reduce binge eating episodes by stabilizing mood and alleviating anxiety. Anticonvulsants such as topiramate (Topamax) or combination medication naltrexone and bupropion (Contrave), and Atomoxetine (Strattera) have shown efficacy in reducing binge eating.
Complications of psychogenic weight gain:
Untreated psychogenic weight gain can lead to a range of serious health complications. Excessive weight gain increases the risk of developing obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Psychologically, persistent weight gain can exacerbate feelings of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, further perpetuating unhealthy eating behaviors and emotional distress. Socially, individuals may experience stigma and discrimination related to their weight, affecting relationships and overall quality of life. Long-term untreated psychogenic weight gain also poses challenges for managing chronic health conditions and can diminish overall life expectancy. Therefore, early intervention and effective treatment strategies are crucial to mitigate these risks and promote healthier outcomes.