It's likely that rather than having one identifiable cause, your anxiety springs from a variety of lifestyle, physical, and psychological factors. However there are a number of common physical conditions that can aggravate anxiety of tax your system and make you more vulnerable to its effects. These conditions include adrenal exhaustion, thyroid imbalance, and candidiasis. Hypoglycemia and food allergies can have similar effects, In order to adequately address your problem with panic, phobias, generalized anxiety, or depression, it's important to deal with these conditions as well, since any more or more of them can aggravate your anxiety problems. While this list is by no means exhaustive of all of the conditions that can complicate anxiety, it includes some of the more common ones.
Adrenal Exhaustion
Prolonged and unremitting stress taxes your adrenal glands. In The Stress of Life, Stress expert Hans Selye describes how protracted stress on the adrenal glands results in a state of chronic under-functioning or exhaustion. Insufficient adrenal resources, in turn, tend to affect how you handle stressful situations, making it more likely that you will become anxious in the face of stress. Inadequate sleep; prolonged exposure to heat of cold; exposure to toxins, pollutants, or substances you're allergic to; and taking cortisone over a period of time can also contribute to adrenal exhaustion. Sudden trauma or severe physical illness can initiate or worsen adrenal exhaustion. Notice that many of these factors, particularly sudden trauma, such as losses or life transitions, also play a role in the onset of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders and adrenal exhaustion frequently occur together.
Adrenal exhaustion develops in stages. When you're combating stress, the adrenal glands tend to hyperfuction, producing large amounts of adrenaline and noradrenaline, as well as steroid hormones such as cortisol. As stress becomes prolonged, the glands begin to be overtaxed and go into a state of temporary underfunctioning. If you are relatively healthy, the glands will try to compensate and can actually rebuild themselves to the point of hypertrophy (growing larger). However, if high levels of stress continue, the glands will eventually exhaust themselves again and then remain in a chronic state of underfunctioning. At this stage they can oscillate between overproducing adrenaline, which can cause panic or mood swings, and underproducing adrenaline. The ultimate outcome of prolonged adrenal exhaustion can be chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic bronchitis or sinusitis, and autoimmune disorders, ranging from lupus to rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include
- Low stress tolerance (little things that didn't use to bother you get to you)
- Lethargy and fatigue (often manifested in difficulty getting up in the morning)
- Light-headedness when standing up quickly (called postural hypotension)
- Light sensitivity (difficulty adjusting to bright light outdoors)
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
- Insomnia
- Hypoglycemia
- Allergies (to foods, environmental substances, pollens, molds, and so on)
- Increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- More frequent colds and respiratory conditions
Hypoglycemia and adrenal exhaustion. Hypoglycemia and adrenal exhaustion often go hand in hand. The adrenals function along with the pancreas in helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels. When the adrenals underfunction, blood sugar levels tend to become erratic. As adrenal fatigue worsens, the immune system is compromised, leading to increased susceptibility to allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, and colds.
Addictions and adrenal exhaustion. Addiction to Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs is frequently associated wit adrenal exhaustion, as is the physiological craving for sugar. Continued use of any of these substances tens to worsen the condition. If you have any of these addictions, your risk of adrenal insufficiency is higher than average.
Recovery from Adrenal Exhaustion
To recover from adrenal exhaustion, you have to address it on a few different fronts. Certain lifestyle change, supplementation, and dietary modifications can be helpful. These are outlined below:
Simplify your life. Ask yourself which of your habits, practices, and obligations clutter your life rather than enrich it.
Regularly practice your preferred form of relaxation. Whether this is progressive muscle relaxation, guided visualization, yoga, or meditation, try to commit to practicing it daily.
Give yourself downtime daily. Remember that downtime is not a luxury, it is necessary for maintaining a vibrant, fulfilling life. Break up your day with two or three 20 to 30 minute periods of relaxation.
Strive to get eight hours of sleep at night. Sufficient sleep is not a luxury, either. Turn in by ten or eleven at night if possible. Whenever you can sleep late in the morning, let yourself do so.
Exercise regularly. Get 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day, preferably outdoors.
Eliminate caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Substitute herb teas for caffeinated beverages. Licorice tea is especially good if you're hypoglycemic.
For three months, eliminate all forms of sugar except Xylitol or stevia. This includes white and brown sugar, honey, chocolate, molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, and dried fruit. Substitute fresh fruits in moderation.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. As much as possible, eliminate processed foods and foods to which you're allergic. Emphasize whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits in your diet. Eat protein in the form of beans and grains; eggs; organic poultry; free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat; of fish. Do not overeat carbohydrates. Reduce your consumption of simple starches: pasta, bread, chips potatoes, cereal, crackers, rolls, and so on. Combine a fat, protein, and complex carbohydrate source at every meal. Avoid eating just fruit first thing in the morning and avoid fruit juices.
Supplements for Adrenal Exhaustion
Certain supplements can help relieve adrenal exhaustion. Talk to your health professional about taking the supplements and quantities listed below:
- Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: 500 to 1000 mg three times per day with meals
- Zinc: 30 mg daily
- Bitamin B6 in the form of P5P (pyridoxyl-5-phospate): 50 mg twice daily
- Calciym with magnesium (preferably in chelated form such as citrate or aspartate): 1000 mg calcium and 500 to 1000 mg magnesium at bedtime
- Pantothenic acid: 100 to 500 mg daily
With the assistance of a holistic physician, naturopath, or other professional health practitioner, you may want to try an adrenal cortical glandular supplement. Adrenal cortical glandulars are preferable to whole adrenal glandulars, which can be overstimulating for some people.
Some people find licorice, in the form of whole licorice root capsules, to be helpful in treating adrenal exhaustion. Do not take licorice, though, if you have high blood pressure of high estrogen levels.
-- The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Edmund J. Bourne, PH.D. All Rights Reserved. Used With Permission
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