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Naturopathic DoctorDepression and anxiety disorders are becoming common experiences in today’s society. The good news is that these conditions can be treated without medication.
The key is in finding the root of the problem. Several factors can contribute; the most common one I see in my practice is adrenal fatigue. Nutritional deficiency and dietary factors also contribute substantially to our mental health. Hormonal factors such as sub-clinically low thyroid function and estrogen and progesterone imbalance and birth control pill side effects also set the set the stage for depression and anxiety. Addressing these factors can go a long way in re-balancing our brain chemisty
Our adrenal glands sit on top of our kidneys and are responsible to secreting several hormones, including cortisol. Cortisol allows us to deal with stress.
The demands of our modern lifestyle and our social mindset have created an unprecedented level of chronic, constant stress.
Over time our adrenal glands get tired and our ability to handle our daily stresses wanes. Symptoms of “tired” adrenals are: jumpiness, anxiety, depression, getting easily stressed, irritability, feeling muddled, spacey or irritable if you miss a meal and having unrestful sleep or disturbed sleep. Other symptom are abdominal weight gain, and difficulty losing weight, low libido, mental fogginess, dizziness when you stand up quickly, light sensitivity, panic attacks, and tiring easily. In many people a period of anxiety precedes the depression, a state of further adrenal collapse. This isn’t always the case however; depression can also happen occur without anxiety.
Traditional Chinese Medicine tells us that anxiety can be caused by “spleen qi (pronounced chi) deficiency.” This can be translated to hypo-functioning of adrenal and thyroid glands. Depression is caused by “liver qi stagnation” which can be translated as liver sluggishness. This make sense in relation to the unprecedented amount of chemicals we are exposed to and the lack of quality nutrients we in our diets to help our liver detoxify these foreign chemicals. In clinical practice, I find this to be true. Supporting healthy liver, adrenal and thyroid function and correcting nutritional deficiency allows for healthy biochemistry, and happy, energized people.
For some people, their mood is a direct result of their biology being thrown off. For others, it is a combination of biological factors and negative thinking patterns. The relationship between mind and body is interconnected. Thoughts can cause adrenalin release and stress in the body. We know stress manifests as high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, digestive upset or irritable bowel syndrome or other problems. Conversely, biological factors for example, poor nutrition, low blood sugar, or excess progesterone cause anxious or depressed thoughts.
By addressing the root cause of the problem and getting your lifestyle back on track with good nutrition, sleep regulation, getting regular exercise, taking away aggravating factors and supporting organ and gland function, anxiety and depression can be healed for good. Concurrent psychotherapy, especially gestalt or cognitive behavior therapy are essential tools for our mind.
Anxiety is about constantly living in the future and fearing possible outcomes. Learning to live in the present and practicing mindfulness techniques are invaluable for helping to change our thinking patterns.
Medications provide a band-aid solution without addressing the real causes of anxiety and depression. Complaints of weight gain, increased anxiety or depression, un-restful sleep, low libido and a numbing out or flattening of emotions are common. The medications also deplete essential vitamins and minerals – necessary for healthy cognitive function. In severe cases medications can be necessary as the root is being addressed.
In most cases, what the body can produce, the body can heal. Anxiety and depression are never for life if you are motivated to take responsibility for your health and making some changes to allow healing to occur. Any symptom we experience alerts our mind that our body is out of balance and needs some care. Your mind and body deserve to truly heal and not just receive symptom management, so that you can live life to your fullest potential.
Seek Naturopathic Treatment to: -get a complete assessment of your health, organ function, diet, lifestyle and exposures
- Learn how nutrition is essential to your mood, and learn how to optimize how you eat to eliminate anxiety and depression
- Address any underlying sub-optimal organ or gland functioning, nutrient deficiencies to re-balance your biology
- Address negative thinking patterns and beliefs
- Be motivated and empowered to take charge of your health and begin a comprehensive treatment plan that is unique to you.
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Best regards,
-Tammy Grime
Bsc. (Hons) ND, Naturopathic Doctor
