Some Causes of Depression, Anxiety & Stress
Stress is natural, but too much of it can wear out the body and mind.
In today's world we are still subject to ancient drives, like the impulse to "Fight or Flight". In the Natural world, normally either of these would be comparitively temporary, but long term stress will eventually run down our resources and leave us unable to function and perhaps cause sleeplessness, eventually exhausting us, till even the stress hormones are depleted and we experience that crash and burn-out.
The fact is that if these things come together the combined effect can cause a descent into depression, even physical changes to the brain can take place. Thankfully these are normally reversible, through medication or lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise which are both very helpful. The Amygdala is responsible for stress homones and that can grow in size. The Hippocampus is responsible for new brain cell growth (neurons) and so-called "happy hormones" and that can physically shrink, as has been proven on autopsies carried out on suicides who suffered from depression. The usual treatment is to target serotonin levels which can help to restore the normal balance of the brain.
Diet, or, more accurately. "Nutrition" can also be extremely important, by providing the building blocks from which the body makes key brain hormones. (This is not about losing weight, it is about ensuring adequate levels of key nutrients, such as Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamins C, B3, B12 and D. which are all involved in underpinning the production of Serotonin). If the body is lacking in Serotonin, and I have seen figures to suggest that up to 80% of us may have Serotonin "Starvation" then our bodies have little to spare to also make Melatonin, (The Hormone that regulates sleep.) So you can see how we get into a position of exhaustion, with too many stress hormones, not enough happy hormones and disturbed sleeping patterns.
Types of Stress that can lead to anxiety or depression.
Nutritional Stress
This is when we simply are not getting the right nutrients to sustain adequate levels of brain hormones to balance our brain chemistry and moods.
It is surprisingly prevalent in the modern world with processed foods and intensive farming depleting minerals, trace elements and nutrients from our soil, livestock and food. Most of us get only about half of the nutrients our Grandparents once did. Even cooking can destroy crucial enzymes and nutrients in food.
At the very least you may find a simple multivitamin supplement can be of tremendous benefit during recovery from stress, anxiety and depression, however it is more beneficial to learn to source these nutrients through your diet.
Lack of nutrients will eventually take a toll on our health and often it is our mental health which deteriorates first. Strangely enough, lack of certain vitamins can cause loss of appetite, so it is important to sustain healthy eating. Likewise stress will actually change our 'tastes' in food, leading us to seek high energy foods that are usually fatty and sugary. A surprising number of nutrient and vitamin deficiencies are linked to depression, and, in extreme cases even certain fatal diseases, like Pellagra from lack of Niacin, and Scurvy from lack of Vitamin C. Both of these vitamins must be taken daily as they are not stored in fat in the body because they are water soluble. (many vitamins are fat soluble and thus can be stored - it is also why we put oil on our salads, to help absorb nutrients.
Toxic Stress
This list includes some antibiotics, certain medicines (e.g. some antimalarials), recreational drugs, environmental toxins, and, it might surprise you to learn Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine, even sugar can all deplete vital nutrients and lead to stress and eventually depression. Alcohol can actually cause depression, and many people find that giving up drinking will enable them to recover from depression surprisingly quickly.
Life Stressors;
There are many, this is just a short list, but anything that upsets a person, which may be totally different for each individual, some may take certain things in their stride, while others may find these situations more difficult.
They include;
Bereavement, Trauma, Work-related stress, Bullying, Job Loss, Moving Home or losing a home, Changing job, Marital or partnership problems, etc.
(There are many more).
Some helpful links
Are you suffering from malnutrition?
“Food for the Brain” Depression Action Plan Interesting and informative, looks really useful.
In today's world we are still subject to ancient drives, like the impulse to "Fight or Flight". In the Natural world, normally either of these would be comparitively temporary, but long term stress will eventually run down our resources and leave us unable to function and perhaps cause sleeplessness, eventually exhausting us, till even the stress hormones are depleted and we experience that crash and burn-out.
The fact is that if these things come together the combined effect can cause a descent into depression, even physical changes to the brain can take place. Thankfully these are normally reversible, through medication or lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise which are both very helpful. The Amygdala is responsible for stress homones and that can grow in size. The Hippocampus is responsible for new brain cell growth (neurons) and so-called "happy hormones" and that can physically shrink, as has been proven on autopsies carried out on suicides who suffered from depression. The usual treatment is to target serotonin levels which can help to restore the normal balance of the brain.
Diet, or, more accurately. "Nutrition" can also be extremely important, by providing the building blocks from which the body makes key brain hormones. (This is not about losing weight, it is about ensuring adequate levels of key nutrients, such as Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamins C, B3, B12 and D. which are all involved in underpinning the production of Serotonin). If the body is lacking in Serotonin, and I have seen figures to suggest that up to 80% of us may have Serotonin "Starvation" then our bodies have little to spare to also make Melatonin, (The Hormone that regulates sleep.) So you can see how we get into a position of exhaustion, with too many stress hormones, not enough happy hormones and disturbed sleeping patterns.
Types of Stress that can lead to anxiety or depression.
Nutritional Stress
This is when we simply are not getting the right nutrients to sustain adequate levels of brain hormones to balance our brain chemistry and moods.
It is surprisingly prevalent in the modern world with processed foods and intensive farming depleting minerals, trace elements and nutrients from our soil, livestock and food. Most of us get only about half of the nutrients our Grandparents once did. Even cooking can destroy crucial enzymes and nutrients in food.
At the very least you may find a simple multivitamin supplement can be of tremendous benefit during recovery from stress, anxiety and depression, however it is more beneficial to learn to source these nutrients through your diet.
Lack of nutrients will eventually take a toll on our health and often it is our mental health which deteriorates first. Strangely enough, lack of certain vitamins can cause loss of appetite, so it is important to sustain healthy eating. Likewise stress will actually change our 'tastes' in food, leading us to seek high energy foods that are usually fatty and sugary. A surprising number of nutrient and vitamin deficiencies are linked to depression, and, in extreme cases even certain fatal diseases, like Pellagra from lack of Niacin, and Scurvy from lack of Vitamin C. Both of these vitamins must be taken daily as they are not stored in fat in the body because they are water soluble. (many vitamins are fat soluble and thus can be stored - it is also why we put oil on our salads, to help absorb nutrients.
Toxic Stress
This list includes some antibiotics, certain medicines (e.g. some antimalarials), recreational drugs, environmental toxins, and, it might surprise you to learn Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine, even sugar can all deplete vital nutrients and lead to stress and eventually depression. Alcohol can actually cause depression, and many people find that giving up drinking will enable them to recover from depression surprisingly quickly.
Life Stressors;
There are many, this is just a short list, but anything that upsets a person, which may be totally different for each individual, some may take certain things in their stride, while others may find these situations more difficult.
They include;
Bereavement, Trauma, Work-related stress, Bullying, Job Loss, Moving Home or losing a home, Changing job, Marital or partnership problems, etc.
(There are many more).
Some helpful links
Are you suffering from malnutrition?
“Food for the Brain” Depression Action Plan Interesting and informative, looks really useful.