The Hidden Dangers of Ozempic & Similar GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs: A Therapist's Perspective
3 minutes
Are you considering taking a semaglutide or Tirzepatide weight loss drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound to shed those extra pounds? While the buzz around semaglutide and tirzepatide side effects and their role as weight-loss drugs for people with diabetes may dominate discussions, there's a deeper narrative that often goes unnoticed: the risk of disordered eating behaviors and thoughts.
Before diving deeper, it's important to note that I am not opposed to these GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. For some people, based on what we currently know, the benefits may outweigh the risks. This includes people with diabetes, severe obesity that may cause conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Moreover, clients struggling with lifelong binge eating patterns or those deeply affected by shame and depression linked to body image might find a semblance of relief through these medications. However, it has become increasingly common for people to use these drugs for cosmetic purposes, such as fitting into a smaller clothing size or losing a small amount of weight quickly for an event. This trend is often fueled by celebrities who have been able to easily acquire the drug, and it's something that should bring pause before jumping onto that trend.
Without getting into too much scientific jargon, semaglutide and tirzepatide drugs work by slowing down digestion, thereby extending the time it takes for food to leave the body. For unknown reasons, it also decreases or fully eliminates “food noise,” This, in turn, leads people to eat less and lose weight. This mechanism might seem like the long-awaited "magic pill" for weight loss. However, it's essential to recognize that these drugs do not address deeper issues like body image, self-esteem, or various forms of disordered eating. The allure of a quick fix can obscure the potential for significant long-term repercussions.
The Dark Side of Temporary Solutions. One significant, yet often overlooked consequence of using Ozempic and similar medications is their potential to trigger binge eating behaviors, both during and after treatment. If you've ever experienced periods of restriction, whether intentional or not, and then found it challenging to feel satisfied after returning to normal food intake, you can relate to this phenomenon. However, with these medications, the effects are amplified on a much larger scale. The drugs' restrictive nature can increase cravings and decrease control over food consumption, especially as the body adapts to the medication or once it's discontinued. This can exacerbate existing disordered eating patterns, fostering a vicious cycle of binge eating accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame.
The Mental Toll of Weight Loss and Comparison. The rapid weight loss facilitated by these medications can foster a relentless cycle of ruminative thoughts and unhealthy comparisons. In other words, the old food noise gets replaced by an obsession over your weight loss journey. Individuals may become fixated on the number on the scale and critically analyzing every detail of their new diet. This can become exacerbated once off the medication and then trying to mimic the same restricted diet that now seems impossible to maintain. This obsession can heighten feelings of anxiety, depression, and erode self-worth not to mention develop into an eating disorder or relapse into an old one.
Worsened Self-Esteem Post-Treatment. Individuals who perceive the medication as a temporary solution may receive compliments from their social circle, friends, and family during the weight loss phase, reinforcing the belief that they are more desirable at a lower weight. However, if the lost weight returns after discontinuing the drug (which research indicates is highly probable), it can result in a significant decline in self-esteem, accompanied by feelings of shame and disappointment. This scenario may prompt social withdrawal and an increase in social anxiety. Consider the impact on someone with a large social media following who receives praise for their weight loss, only to have to appear on camera having regained the weight.
Fertility and Rapid Weight Loss. Although it’s true that for some women, fertility has been aided by semaglutides; this has been more typically the case with women who have a lot of excess weight to shed, do not ovulate due to excessive weight or have PCOS (there is still more that needs to be studied). For those who are using the GLP-1 drugs for quick cosmetic effects and/or are already thin, the food restriction and weight changes induced by the Wegovy and Zepbound type medications may have the opposite effects on fertility. Sudden weight loss can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting menstrual cycles and ovulation in women, as well as sperm quality in men. Those contemplating starting a family may discover, to their dismay, that their fertility has been compromised by the use of these drugs. It can also heavily impede on sex drive. For those unaware, the toll fertility struggles takes on an individual and couple is complex, extremely emotional and very expensive.
In conclusion, while semaglutide and tirzepatide weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound may offer rapid results and potentially improve the quality of life for individuals with significant health risks, their suitability for those seeking minor weight loss warrants a separate and thorough discussion. It's crucial to carefully weigh the decision to use these drugs, especially for individuals with a history of disordered eating.
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