BLOG

Anxiety, Depression, and Hormones

Mood & Anxiety Disorders

When moving from the holistic health arena to the addiction treatment arena, I was shocked at how the addiction and dependency treatment centers do not look at hormonal imbalances as a cause for anxiety and depression.  Most addiction clinics will look at which psychiatric medication is the best for the patient with no consideration of hormone imbalances.  If they are “holistic” the clinic may look at the speed at which a liver breaks down the psychiatric medication.

Managing Hormonal Issues with Anxiety and Depression Medications

Saying that mood and anxiety symptoms may be caused by hormonal imbalances in women is a little like stating the sky is blue.  It is a “no-brainer” in the alternative functional medicine world.  Both nervous system and hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety and depression.  It can be one or the other, but usually both systems need to be addressed, especially with women.

Many women still have anxiety and depression while on their psychiatric medications.  Luckily in many cases the nervous system and hormonal imbalances can be addressed and resolved while still on the psychiatric medications. 

Hormones and Anxiety

Many patients that come into the office have an over stimulated nervous system or are in a state of sympathetic dominance.  This causes the hormonal system to go into over drive as well.  Calming down the nervous system is necessary in order to then regulate the hormonal system. 

Anxiety and depression may be caused by many factors such as physical, mental, and/or emotional.  From clinical experience, I find generally anxiety has a strong physical component to it and depression has a strong emotional or belief system component to it.  Many patients handle stress much better after correcting imbalances in the nervous system and hormonal system.  Overwhelming temporary panic attacks can be resolved in some cases just by regulating the nervous system and hormonal system.

Hormones and Depression

Again depression can be from physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional causes.  Generally the physical component of depression may be caused by fatigue or low adrenals, which is part of the hormonal system. Vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to depression. 

Hormones and Alcohol Addiction

In some cases, binge drinking in women may be caused in part by hormonal imbalances in the body.   During the premenstrual part of the cycle, imbalances can cause emotional distress and increased drinking.  Regulating the nervous system and hormonal system is usually required.

For perimenopausal women, some may need to calm themselves with alcohol so that they can relax and unwind or go to sleep at night.  If the nervous system and hormonal system were functioning correctly they would be able to wind down and sleep naturally without the need to self medicate with drugs or alcohol. 

In most women both the nervous system and hormonal system need to be addressed and corrected to eliminate the need to self medicate with alcohol or drugs.

Free Consultation

If you would like to know if nervous system or hormonal system imbalances are affecting your life.  Give the clinic a call at 707 527-7710 and we can discuss your health issues with you. To make an appointment, call (707) 527-7710 or click here to make an appointment on-line.

Dr. Cindy Zafis, DC, DACACD is a Doctor of Chiropractic and not a Medical Doctor. Dr. Zafis, DC, DACACD does not claim to diagnose or cure any illness or disease.

What the clinic offers are several Chiropractic therapies that balance the body through gentle spinal care, very targeted nutritional therapy, and correcting structural issues. Many patients that have not been able to resolve issues themselves have been very satisfied with the results of these therapies.

Dr. Zafis, DC, DACACD has taken several classes to help patients including NAET, BioSet, gentle spinal care, and Applied Kinesiology.  She has helped many patients in Sonoma County since 1995.

You may call the office to schedule your free 15-minute health screening today. 

Call the office for a 15-minute free consultation. To make an appointment, call (707) 527-7710 or click here to make an appointment on-line.