Patient discussions
Patients should be forewarned that any treatment requires at least several weeks before it might start working, and not to be discouraged if progress is not immediately perceived. Drug treatment response can be delayed from 8 to 12 weeks.
Recommended online patient information may be helpful. Royal College of Psychiatrists: obsessive-compulsive disorder Opens in new window International OCD Foundation Opens in new window Anxiety and Depression Association of America, OCD Opens in new window
One large population-based cohort study from the UK found that antidepressant use may be linked to a modestly increased risk of long-term weight gain over 10 years, with the risk being highest in the second and third years of treatment. Although the number to harm appears to be low (assuming the relationship is causal, 59 people would need to be treated with antidepressants for one person to develop weight gain of 5% or greater), such a link could have a significant impact on a population level. Based on this, it is recommended that healthcare professionals discuss the possibility of weight gain with their patients who require antidepressant treatment, and provide advice on diet and exercise.[166]
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