“I’m Losing My Mind”: People Share How It Has Impacted Them To See Loved Ones Taking Ozempic

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Weight loss is a common yet sensitive topic for many people. According to the World Health Organization, about 43% of adults around the world are overweight. So it’s no secret that many of us would benefit from losing a few pounds. But it’s not always as simple as cutting out dessert and hitting the gym a couple of times a week. Some of us need a little extra help, and that’s why Ozempic has exploded in popularity in recent years.

But we often only hear about how the medication has transformed people’s lives for the better. So today, we’re focusing on some of the downsides of taking Ozempic, particularly how it can impact a person’s relationships with friends and family. Individuals who have seen Ozempic use up close have been opening up on Reddit about how they’ve been affected, so you’ll find some of their brutally honest accounts down below.

Ozempic usage has grown exponentially in recent years

Young woman in a black top showing loose pants, illustrating the impact of loved ones taking Ozempic on weight changes.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

But many people are now opening up about the darker sides of watching loved ones take the medication

Person sharing feelings about living with a roommate on Ozempic and its impact on self-esteem and body image.

Person sharing their experience about the emotional impact of seeing loved ones taking Ozempic for weight loss.

Text on a white background describing the emotional impact on body dysmorphia and resentment toward loved ones using Ozempic.

Alt text: Person sharing how seeing loved ones taking Ozempic and losing weight affects their mental health and wellbeing.

Image credits:

Young woman looking frustrated while holding a fork over a salad, reflecting on loved ones taking Ozempic.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Person sharing how seeing loved ones taking Ozempic impacts mental health and causes them to feel like losing their mind.

Text excerpt about family's experience with Ozempic, describing impact on appetite and eating habits with loved ones taking Ozempic.

Alt text: Person describing the impact of seeing loved ones taking Ozempic on their own weight and appetite.

Alt text: Person sharing how seeing loved ones take Ozempic impacts their mental health and concerns about gastroparesis risks.

Person expressing frustration about losing their mind due to seeing loved ones take Ozempic for weight loss.

Image credits:

Ozempic has only been approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes

Person holding a blue Ozempic injector pen, illustrating the impact of loved ones taking Ozempic on mental wellbeing.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Ozempic has made many headlines in recent years because of its prevalence in Hollywood, but it’s important to note that plenty of regular people are using the medication too. In fact, it’s really only intended to be prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes, according to the US FDA.

UC Davis Health explains that Ozempic works by “mimicking a naturally occurring hormone” that essentially tells a person’s brain that they’re full. At the same time, the medication slows down a person’s digestion, similar to how bariatric surgery would. It’s often used to treat diabetes, improve blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and improve blood pressure.

But people quickly realized that a common side effect of taking the medication is weight loss, which certainly helped its popularity. After all, a whopping 55% of Americans want to lose weight, a 2024 survey from Gallup found.  

But many face barriers in doing so, such as health and mobility issues, limited guidance from health professionals, financial limitations, lack of will power and less concern about their weight than when they were younger. So if a medication comes along that can make shedding weight much simpler and easier than making drastic lifestyle changes, it’s understandable for people to get on board.

However, it’s important to understand that, just like any other medication, Ozempic can come with side effects. Within warns that patients who don’t actually need this medication may experience adverse health effects, such as electrolyte disturbances, reduced muscle functioning, chronic gastrointestinal issues, colon malfunctioning, increased risk of infection and depression and anxiety. 

Unfortunately, some people also misuse Ozempic to fuel their own disordered eating patterns, which can exacerbate mental health issues and be dangerous for their health. At the same time, the normalization of weight loss dr*gs can contribute to anti-fatness and body weight biases, which are already extremely prevalent in our culture and media.

The popularity and accessibility of this medication has contributed to a cultural fixation with thinness

Doctor measuring woman’s waist in a bright room with fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting impact of Ozempic use.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

As we’ve seen from the stories shared in this article, the effects that Ozempic can have on mental health can reach far beyond those who are actually taking the medication. Eating disorders are “contagious” in a way, as openly having an unhealthy relationship with food can start to impact the way others around you view their own plates and bodies.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking Ozempic, especially for patients who actually have type 2 diabetes. But by constantly talking about the desire to lose weight, become skinny and/or eat less, patients can quickly impact their loved ones’ relationships with food.

Ozempic has been glamorized in the media as a miracle medication, but many experts worry that this is causing a cultural shift towards an obsession with being skinny, with little concern about how that may impact a person’s health.

“Discussions surrounding weight loss drugs contribute to disordered eating by encouraging weight loss at all costs,” Ashley Moser, LMFT, CEDS, told Healthline. “It reinforces the message that all people should strive for thinness and be willing to do so with whatever means are available, even if there is a cost to their physical or mental health. Those in eating disorder recovery are especially vulnerable to these messages as they can normalize disordered behaviors in the pursuit of a smaller body.”

Considering the fact that at least 9% of the global population are struggling with an eating disorder, it would probably be wise to be more careful about how we address such a sensitive topic. 

We would love to hear your thoughts on these stories in the comments below, pandas. Do you have any personal experience with using Ozempic? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing similar issues right here

Many readers shared similar stories of their own, warning about the negative impacts of Ozempic use

User comment sharing how Ozempic impacted a loved one’s weight loss and lifestyle, then weight regained after stopping.

Comment discussing the impacts and benefits of Ozempic use, including weight loss and improved health aspects.

Comment about Ozempic side effects on muscle loss and impact on health from loved ones taking Ozempic.

Reddit user explains how Ozempic impacts digestion, appetite control, and weight management for loved ones using the medication.

User comment discussing the emotional impact and challenges of seeing loved ones taking Ozempic for weight loss management.

Comment expressing frustration about Ozempic shortages and its impact on diabetics unable to access the medication.

Comment discussing insurance coverage limitations for Ozempic and its impact on weight loss and diabetic treatment.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing struggles of diabetic people obtaining Ozempic due to high demand.

User comment expressing frustration about loved ones taking Ozempic, impacting access and cost for diabetes patients.

Screenshot of a forum comment sharing a personal experience with Ozempic highlighting severe side effects and emotional impact.

Comment from a user sharing thoughts on how seeing loved ones taking Ozempic impacts their mental state.

Text post from TheGadgetInspector expressing distress over a loved one taking Ozempic and its emotional impact.

User sharing impact of seeing a loved one’s weight loss and behavior changes possibly due to Ozempic use.

Person sharing emotional impact of seeing loved ones taking Ozempic and its effect on mental health and body image.

Comment from Harmonyinheart sharing personal impact of loved ones taking Ozempic and related eating disorder struggles.

Person sharing experience of how seeing loved ones taking Ozempic has impacted their mental health and daily life.

User sharing personal struggles with Ozempic use, discussing impact on eating habits and emotional challenges.

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