A recent UK review found that GLP1-RA drugs do not worsen mental health. Instead, these medications may improve both physical and emotional wellbeing. The review analyzed data from over 107,000 patients and found no significant difference in serious or mild psychiatric side effects between those taking GLP1-RAs and those given placebos.
Common serious side effects examined included major depression, suicidality, and psychosis. Non-serious side effects involved anxiety and insomnia. Interestingly, patients on GLP1-RAs showed notable improvements in eating behaviors such as reduced emotional eating. They also reported better quality of life in areas like mental and physical health, diabetes management, and weight-related wellbeing.
People with obesity and diabetes often face poorer mental health and lower quality of life compared to others. The researchers believe these findings should reassure doctors about the psychiatric safety of GLP1-RA treatments.
In separate UK research, scientists studied withdrawal symptoms in people stopping antidepressants. The survey included more than 300 primary care patients who had tried to stop taking these drugs. It showed that long-term users, especially those on medication for two years or more, were much more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. In fact, their risk was 10 times higher than that of short-term users.
About 79% of participants reported at least one withdrawal symptom, with one-third rating their symptoms as moderate and one-seventh as severe. Withdrawal symptoms made it impossible for 38% of respondents to stop their medication, rising to 79% among long-term users.
Dr. Mark Horowitz, lead author and psychiatrist, said, “The longer people take antidepressants, the more likely they are to have withdrawal symptoms. Many people use these drugs for a long time, so stopping can be challenging.”
Despite these difficulties, two-thirds of patients found the drugs helpful. However, many also reported physical withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Long-term users were more likely to have moderate or severe symptoms lasting months or even years. The study found no link between withdrawal severity and the level of depression or anxiety.
The researchers noted that only 20% of eligible patients participated, which might have influenced the results toward those with more severe withdrawal issues.
In another mental health study from the UK, researchers linked worsening depression to the later development of physical pain. They surveyed about 7,300 adults over age 50, finding that those who often had moderate to severe pain had experienced worsening depressive symptoms and loneliness for up to eight years before the pain started. Those without pain had steadier, less severe depression scores.
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg, lead epidemiologist, explained, “Our study shows depression and loneliness worsen well before pain begins. This suggests early mental health and social support might help reduce or delay pain.”
Depression and loneliness may cause stress that increases inflammation and changes how the body reacts to pain. They may also affect the nervous system, making people more sensitive to pain.
“These findings highlight the need to treat pain not just physically, but also through mental health care,” Dr. Bloomberg added.
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