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Changes occurring in Appetite and Weight during Short-Term Antidepressant Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Brian Harris*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff
John Young
Affiliation:
London
Bill Hughes
Affiliation:
David Rice Hospital, Norwich
*
Correspondence

Summary

Changes in appetite and weight were recorded in mild to moderately depressed out-patients during the course of clinical trials of various antidepressant drugs. After six weeks, differences due to treatment regimes were minimal. Patients who on becoming depressed experienced severe changes in appetite and weight in either direction, tended to return to normal. The significant associations of appetite and weight change during treatment were with weight, appetite, and carbohydrate preference at presentation, and also with the ‘appetite history’ and ‘weight history’. The associations with the degree of depression were relatively minor.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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