Betty Vreeland, MSN

While psychotropic medications for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric disorders can cause weight gain, patients can take small steps to improve their health.

Obesity is one of the most common physical health problems in individuals with psychiatric conditions and contributes to excess medical morbidity and mortality. Several classes of psychotropic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotics, cause weight gain. While these issues pose challenges to optimal health, the good news is that there are solutions and emerging strategies.