Wegovy vs Mounjaro with Anxiety
Posted on October 9, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
Which is more Suitable for People with Anxiety?
Is Wegovy vs Mounjaro a common search on your computer, looking for the right option that won’t worsen your anxiety? If you already have an anxiety disorder, you may understandably have questions about Mounjaro injections or Wegovy and how these treatments could affect your mental health.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the UK. Statistics from Mental Health UK note that as many as 8 million people in the UK are living with an anxiety disorder. Interestingly, if you have an anxiety disorder, you are also at a higher risk of being diagnosed as either overweight or obese. Research, like a 2024 piece published in Neuropsychobiology suggests that people living with obesity have around 30% higher odds of experiencing clinical anxiety than people without obesity.
If you have been on social media, you may have seen reports of people starting weight loss medications report a spike in anxiety. That can be extraordinarily off-putting if you are already struggling with this distracting disorder.
At the Bodyline Clinic, we have the clinical support you need to lose weight with GLP-1s if you have anxiety. We know how to assess your unique mental health story and base your treatment for weight loss around you. We don’t sign off a prescription and then stop supporting you. We provide prolonged care to ensure every part of you is kept healthy.
It is something that we have noted in our own clinics. We have seen more people with anxiety disorders approaching us for treatment with weight loss medications. The aim is not only to lose weight but to also minimise symptoms any pre-existing mental health issues.
So, which GLP-1 may be the most suited for those with an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety and NHS Treatments
At the time of writing, most people who have an anxiety disorder are managed via their GP. The most common medication option is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). These drugs seek to rebalance the neurochemical serotonin in the brain, easing the symptoms.
SSRIs are generally considered low-risk and are recommended by NICE for conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. They can also be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though these medications treat anxiety, they are known as antidepressants.
In the UK, the most common SSRIs include:
- Sertraline
- Citalopram
- Escitalopram
As many as 10–20% of antidepressant users experience noticeable weight gain, more so with sertraline. These medications can increase appetite and slow down metabolism.
For persistent anxiety (or PTSD), a GP may prescribe a Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI). These target both serotonin and norepinephrine. In the NHS, the most popular options prescribed by GP’s are:
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
Weight changes can occur when taking these medications, although the effect varies between individuals and may change over time. A large 2024 study involving more than 183,000 antidepressant users found that, at six months, duloxetine and venlafaxine were associated with slightly greater average weight gain than sertraline.
Wegovy vs Mounjaro and Anxiety
When considering Wegovy UK treatment options, people seeking to lose weight can now be torn between injectable and oral options. In this article, we will be focusing on injectable Wegovy. If you want to read about how oral Wegovy impacts mental health, click here.
The relationship between Mounjaro antidepressants and the secondary effects on anxiety are interesting.
On social media, some of the Wegovy vs Mounjaro side effects are often portrayed as a worsening any underlying mental health condition. Yet, the clinical research into this area suggests something else. GLP-1 receptors (which are targeted by Mounjaro) are found in parts of the brain linked to mood regulation. Primarily the amygdala (fear centre) and hippocampus (memory).
A large observation study found that those who were prescribed tirzepatide had 60% lower chance of being diagnosed with anxiety, versus those not taking the medication. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, those who took Mounjaro noted improvements in emotional and psychological well-being, versus those who were taking a placebo.
A retrospective chart review of psychiatric issues and GLP-1usage explored 226 patients. Of this group, 65.9% were diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder. It was noted that those who had pre-existing mood disorders remained psychiatrically stable. It should be noted that this looked at multiple GLP-1s, including tirzepatide. The most commonly consumed GLP-1 was semaglutide, which was being used by 73% of those in the study.
This leads us nicely onto semaglutide or Wegovy.
Data generally points to semaglutide lowering both anxiety and depression. A 2026 Swedish study published in The Lancet Psychiatry followed 95,490 people with diagnosed depression, anxiety, or both who used diabetes medications. Wegovy was associated with a 38% lower chance of worsening anxiety compared to periods where the participants were not taking a GLP-1. It should be noted that this study did not track overall anxiety levels. Instead, it explored areas such as hospitalisation or prolonged sick leave due to psychiatric issues.
There is some data that points to increased anxiety when taking Wegovy. A 2026 study from South Korea (which looked at weight management) noted more anxiety diagnoses among those who took semaglutide than those who didn’t. This does not establish a link between this medication and anxiety becoming worse. It merely highlights a link.
Improvements: Diet and Exercise?
A core part of every weight loss programme using either Mounjaro or Wegovy is that when taking these medications, you need to alter your diet and increase your exercise.
Both diet and exercise have been linked to lower levels of inflammation. It should be noted that while diet on its own won’t treat any underlying anxiety when you start GLP-1’s, changing to foods that help with gut health, reduced inflammation and blood sugar levels can certainly be a useful long-term habit.
Protein
This needs to be consumed with every meal, whether you are taking the Mounjaro or Wegovy injection.
Protein provides amino acids. These help to create neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, both of which are involved in mood regulation. Eating protein also helps to prevent sugar spikes and crashes, which can worsen or mimic anxiety.We have a whole blog on what you can eat when taking GLP-1s. However, good sources include chicken, red meat, turkey and eggs. You can also try Greek yoghurt, beans and lentils.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Yes, despite the fad of Omega-3 in the 1990’s, this is still a core part of any diet and has been found by the UK Biobank plays a role in brain function and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Best of all, you can get some really tasty meals out of Omega-3 heavy foods. Try to consume salmon, mackerel or sardines twice a week. Or try your hand and snacking on walnuts, chia or flaxseeds.
Vegetables and Fruit
At mealtimes, fill half of the plate with vegetables. Be sure to also snack on fruit, like oranges, apples or whatever bite-sized fruit that you like. These help to provide fibre for gut health and also help to ease gastrointestinal issues that can come with GLP-1s. They also help to support gut health, which helps mood through the gut brain axis. You will also get access to vitamins and antioxidants, which help to mitigate inflammation.
Complex Carbohydrates
Wholegrain sourdough bread, rolled oats, brown rice, potato, sweet potato, quinoa, beans and lentils, wholemeal pasta or noodles, and wholemeal couscous are all fibre rich carbohydrates. These help to keep blood sugar levels steady. If blood sugar drops, it can look and feel like anxiety. If you have anxiety, you know how overwhelming that sensation can be. And the last thing you need is a diet that mimics the physical side.
Movement and Anxiety
Many people report that when they feel anxious, they can’t stop moving.
As such, exercise is one of the most effective strategies for helping to ease anxiety. Multiple studies, including one from the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2026 noted that physical activity reduces anxiety. Indeed, the results were on par with some medication and even psychological treatment options.
It lowers cortisol, helps to increase both serotonin and endorphins, as well as offer a distraction from rumination.
When you start on GLP-1’s, a core part of the treatment is exercise and increasing your activity. Pair that with the low sugar, high protein diet and it will likely have a favourable outcome for any form of anxiety.
How Our Team Can Help
Anxiety is hard. Our team knows it and anyone who has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder knows it.
Our team at the Bodyline Clinic prides ourselves on being able to offer an additional level of clinical support to those who may have been rejected from online pharmacies for weight loss medications. We know that many people with anxiety take multiple medications to ease the symptoms. A large UK primary-care study found substantial overlap in psychotropic prescribing, with 40% of people prescribed an SNRI also receiving an SSRI within the same year.
At the time of writing, we are more than happy for our clinical team to discuss your medication schedule with you and assess which GLP-1 treatment, or method of administration, may work best for you. If you have been looking at Mounjaro price comparisons, you may have noticed considerable differences between providers. At the Bodyline Clinic, we know that we do not offer the cheapest Mounjaro UK or the cheapest Wegovy UK, but what we do offer is a long, personalised care plan designed for you to keep you healthy and happy. In short, we care about your journey and not just your weight loss.
We are able to offer specialised support for people who are:
- Diagnosed with mental health issues or are taking certain psychiatric medications.
- Managing cardiovascular disease.
- Dealing with gastrointestinal disorders.
- Over the age of 75 years.
We will not refuse you access to GLP-1s based on your medical history in the majority of cases. We do not apply blanket access to our weight loss treatments and aim to work with each person to help them reach their weight loss goals.
Our team at the Bodyline Clinic has over 18 years of experience helping people to reach their weight loss goals. We have also helped over 100,00 people to lose weight in that time and we have a 95% 5-star review on Trustpilot.
So, if you have a mental health issue and have been rejected for weight loss treatments, book a consultation with our team today.
FAQs
Is Wegovy or Mounjaro better for anxiety?
There is no direct evidence which highlights which GLP-1 treatment is better for anxiety. Our team will be sure to assess your physical and mental health when you come to us for weight loss treatment, to keep you in good health as you reach your weight loss goals.
Can Mounjaro cause anxiety?
There is a lot of data from clinical trials that does not find a link between Mounjaro doses of any level and an increase in anxiety. A lot of the information online is anecdotal. As such, it cannot be determined the severity of the anxiety prior to treatment. Or if any specialised support was occurring.
What Food helps with anxiety?
Foods that help to ease anxiety are also a core part of both the Wegovy and Mounjaro diet plan. Aim to reduce excess sugar, increase protein, fibre and eat complex carbohydrates which are easy to digest.
