Robyn
19-10-08, 10:21
Something that is never checked out by our GPs when we suffer from anxiety (well mine didnt!) was potential physiological causes, there are several that cause anxiety, hypoglycemia, thyroid problems, food intolerances to name but a few. Who goes to the doctor with panic attacks and anxiety and has a medical check up to rule these things out? I was given a prescription for meds and when I went back was sent for CBT
I say this because my cousin battled a lifetime with panic and anxiety and it has only just been discovered that she had a thyroid problem and since medication has been established, her anxiety has vanished!
I work with children with emotional and behavioural problems - many children who are agitated and unable to sit still and get labelled ADHD. No one ever in the assessment process looks at the kids diet, whereby their interpretation of a vegetable is a tin of mushy peas! and they have a daily diet of burgers, chicken nuggets, chips and sweets. Careful controlled studies have gone on recently with supplements, ruling out additives and processed foods and increasing protein in their diet via fish, nuts, chicken or eggs, more green leafy vegetables and fruit with omega 3 supplements and all improved, some cases of ADHD had been erradicated. I just think the brain is an organ like any other and is certainly affected by what we are putting into our bodies just as sure as our heart or stomach is!
Its a crying shame that many of us spend years and years battling debilitating anxiety when there is actually a physical cause, if not a physical condition then our diet or a food intolerance/allergy. We may spend years seeing therapists or taking drugs when it isnt psychological at all!
I too suffer from periodic depression and occasional anxiety, but am currently undergoing tests for blood sugar instability (a common cause of anxiety) and seeing a nutritionist who does food intolerance testing and advises on the best diet and supplements for an individual (which may be different to other peoples') At least then I can find a cause or a contributor or rule it out of the equation .. but it should always be checked out if people suffer from recurring anxiety or depression.
I think anxiety and depression being misdiagnosed as emotional alone is alarmingly common and something we should take into account and at least rule out when looking for causes
I say this because my cousin battled a lifetime with panic and anxiety and it has only just been discovered that she had a thyroid problem and since medication has been established, her anxiety has vanished!
I work with children with emotional and behavioural problems - many children who are agitated and unable to sit still and get labelled ADHD. No one ever in the assessment process looks at the kids diet, whereby their interpretation of a vegetable is a tin of mushy peas! and they have a daily diet of burgers, chicken nuggets, chips and sweets. Careful controlled studies have gone on recently with supplements, ruling out additives and processed foods and increasing protein in their diet via fish, nuts, chicken or eggs, more green leafy vegetables and fruit with omega 3 supplements and all improved, some cases of ADHD had been erradicated. I just think the brain is an organ like any other and is certainly affected by what we are putting into our bodies just as sure as our heart or stomach is!
Its a crying shame that many of us spend years and years battling debilitating anxiety when there is actually a physical cause, if not a physical condition then our diet or a food intolerance/allergy. We may spend years seeing therapists or taking drugs when it isnt psychological at all!
I too suffer from periodic depression and occasional anxiety, but am currently undergoing tests for blood sugar instability (a common cause of anxiety) and seeing a nutritionist who does food intolerance testing and advises on the best diet and supplements for an individual (which may be different to other peoples') At least then I can find a cause or a contributor or rule it out of the equation .. but it should always be checked out if people suffer from recurring anxiety or depression.
I think anxiety and depression being misdiagnosed as emotional alone is alarmingly common and something we should take into account and at least rule out when looking for causes