Some patients experience mental health backlash from GLP-1 medications
The use of medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, known as GLP-1s, has more than doubled in the United States since 2024. While these drugs offer significant health benefits, doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are observing a less-discussed consequence: the mental health challenges some patients face—not from the medications themselves, but from societal reactions to their weight loss.
A Life Transformed
For Meredith Chambers, a patient utilizing GLP-1 medications, the impact has been profound. She reports losing 120 pounds after a lifetime of struggling with her weight, describing it as “probably the biggest thing that’s happened in my life for me.” Chambers recounts a history of repeated attempts at weight loss, stating, “Up, down, gained the weight, lost the weight, gained the weight, lost the weight.”
The Sting of “Well-Intended” Comments
Despite her success, Chambers experienced emotional difficulties stemming from comments made by others. She recalls being asked, “’Are you sick?’” and hearing suggestions that she simply “eat right” or “get off the medicine.” She acknowledges that these comments weren’t intentionally malicious, but notes the underlying message: “When people say, ‘Wow, you look so good now,’ the intent is so nice and kind, right? But to me, I hear ‘you didn’t look good before.'”
The Weight of Stigma
Dr. Caroline Apovian, co-director of the Center for Weight Management at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, emphasizes that the challenges patients face are rooted in societal stigma surrounding obesity. She explains that unlike conditions like hypertension or diabetes, obesity is visibly apparent, leading to judgment. “You can’t really see if you have hypertension, high blood pressure or if you have diabetes. That’s why the judgment comes out because you can see it,” she stated.
Dr. Apovian also notes the positive impacts of these medications, including a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke, alleviation of sleep apnea and reduced joint pain. However, she fears that the stigma surrounding weight loss could deter individuals who need these drugs from seeking help. She cautions against telling someone to “control yourself” or questioning their dietary choices, describing this as “the stigma underlying everything.”
A Plea for Kindness
Meredith Chambers urges people to be mindful of their words. “Just be careful of your words because, really, it can be devastating for the person hearing them,” she advises. “People always have their own thoughts. But just keep those in and just be kind.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are GLP-1 medications?
GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are drugs used for weight loss.
What side effects are doctors observing with these medications?
Doctors are observing mental health challenges for some patients, but these are not caused by the drugs themselves, rather by reactions from others to their weight loss.
What is the main concern Dr. Apovian expresses?
Dr. Apovian worries that the stigma surrounding obesity will prevent people who need these drugs from seeking help.
As GLP-1 medications become increasingly prevalent, how can we foster a more supportive and understanding environment for individuals undergoing weight loss journeys?