Turn on the TV and chances are, on any given evening, you will see commercials for weight loss drugs. The songs have become ear worms. I know you can sing along with “Oh, Oh, Oh, Ozempic” and watch the community of people out for a stroll to the words, “Look out, cause here I come.,” to promote Wegovy.
Prescription weight loss medications have become more readily available to the average consumer and are no longer just used by celebrities. According to Forbes Magazine there are several scientifically vetted options available. This class of medication, known as “glucagon-like peptide-1 medication,” was originally intended to help treat Type 2 Diabetes. The active ingredient in most of them is Semaglutide, which signals to the brain that the digestive system is full and ideally would assist the person in putting down the fork or pushing the plate away.
The health requirements to receive a prescription covered by insurance include Diabetes, cardiac conditions, and hypertension. A medical evaluation is required, including lab tests. It is not a decision taken lightly, since for some people, these medications come with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. For many who seek this treatment, there may have been years of struggle with shedding pounds including diet, exercise, over the counter weight loss supplements, and bariatric surgery. Along with the physical challenges of carrying additional pounds comes the emotional weight. In many cultures including ours, thinness is equated with beauty, fitness, success, and self-control. We are constantly exposed to images of healthy, active people who seem happier than those with greater body composition. The toll that it takes on emotional well-being can be as burdensome on the psyche as the weight can be on the body.
What happens when all the boxes are checked, and a prescription is written? Insurance coverage can be prohibitive. Some prescriptions can be from approximately $100 a month to, in some cases, $1,000 a month.
A senior woman tells her story: “I was prescribed Ozempic in October of 2024 after a high A1c of 7.1 and blood sugar of 180. There is a history of Diabetes in my family, with my mother and sister requiring insulin. I didn’t want to get to that point, so I spoke with my physician assistant about options. I had also been putting on weight, which was distressing, since I had been athletic most of my life. Once I crossed the threshold into menopause, it was harder to keep the weight off, no matter how much I exercised. My P.A. suggested Ozempic and gave me instructions for how to use it. She also wrote a prescription for a glucose testing kit to screen my blood in the morning and at night. I was excited about the possibility of managing both my Diabetes and my weight. In the seven months since beginning the process, I have lost about 15 lbs. which is far less than I had hoped. I am amply aware that I have an issue with emotional eating. I noticed that my blood sugar was higher at night since that is when I am also more likely to ignore the ‘I am full’ messages from my body. Ozempic seems to support my blood sugar balance as, for the most part, it is within normal range. Now, I just need to heed the put-on-the-brakes input from my body. Although a low carb and low sugar diet were recommended, that is still a struggle.”
She recognized the link for her, between emotions and food consumption, as a way of repressing distressing feelings in the midst of a high impact job, as well as coming face to face with the effects of the whirlwind world in which we live.
She is also grateful that Medicare covers the prescription, except for a $49 co-pay, which is manageable for her.
One of the side effects of extreme weight loss with these medications is referred to as an Ozempic Face in which one’s face can appear gaunt. Other fascinating factors to using weight loss medications are highlighted in an article on Healthline entitled, “Ozempic Personality’: Why You May Not Act Like Yourself on Weight Loss Drugs”.
There are studies that highlight both the positive and negative effects on mood and affect after using GLP-1s. Some indicate an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety, and some show a decrease in both. Perhaps pre-existing tendencies are contributing factors. The person who described her experience above has shown no change in mood or affect in the months that she has been taking Ozempic.
Further research indicates the benefits and detrimental effects of weight reduction drugs.
“A 2014 literature review of 36 studies—examining the psychological effects of weight loss intervention programs on participants’ health—reported ‘significant improvements’ in the mental health of the attendees. Participants reported boosts in self-esteem, an alleviation of depressive symptoms and body image related issues, along with an overall positive effect of physiological wellbeing.”
If you are in mental health treatment, it is advisable to consult with your therapist and/or psychiatrist as well as your medical provider before seeking this intervention. If you would like assistance with considering taking a weight loss drug, or if you are dealing with the emotional fallout of taking a such a drug, I can help.