Could Adrenal Fatigue Be Causing Your Depression?

According to a 2020 article from the World Health Organization, “there are more than 264 million people of all ages (globally) suffering from depression”¹. The illness is not as “black and white” as it may seem, since depression can stem from various circumstances depending on how one is able to handle situations or life events. In most cases, depression is emotionally induced and can reveal symptoms of persistent anxiety, loss of interest in daily pleasures, restlessness, irritability, digestive problems, difficulty concentrating, and decreased energy or fatigue. If left untreated, it can develop into a more chronic neurological disorder pertaining to mood. But, while many may understand depression on the surface, the cause of one’s condition may stem from something a little deeper than meets the eye. What is going on within the body to cause the onset of depressive symptoms?

It Starts With Ongoing Stress

Most patients suffering from depression have been through periods of extreme stress, and it’s safe to say that facing these high pressures contribute to their mood changes. After all, it’s easy to be happy when everything in life is going well. When people are challenged with obstacles, that’s when they face adversity and learn how to handle the problem(s) accordingly. Dealing with stress can be healthy, as it teaches people how to struggle and survive despite the obstacles that are faced. Additionally, it may even put them to the test to see how many times they’re willing to fail or make mistakes before they succeed.

However, when stress becomes persistent, it drastically affects one’s health both physically and emotionally. What people may be unaware of is that when someone is feeling stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is in overdrive. This is the interaction between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands. The nervous system experiences a state of panic which prompts the brain to send signals to the adrenal glands (two walnut-shaped glands atop of the kidneys) to release stress hormones adrenaline, DHEA, and cortisol. This is meant to enhance one’s impulses, stamina, coherence, and five senses in order to activate the “fight-or-flight” response.

Adrenal Fatigue Sets In

The adrenal glands are part of the HPA axis which handles the stressors that are analyzed by the brain. One hormone that plays a significant role in the development of depression is cortisol. This hormone is relevant because it controls the body’s glucose to regulate blood pressure within the immune system, especially during a time of high stress. Normally, after periodic stress, the body falls into a state of relaxation before returning to normal hormone levels. However, during prolonged stress, if the body is constantly in its “fight-or-flight” mode, cortisol production becomes continuous. As a result, this drains the adrenal glands of its hormone production leading to a chronic condition called adrenal fatigue.

The Role of Adrenal Fatigue on Mood

Most patients are not aware that they have adrenal fatigue due to their symptoms overlapping with other conditions. As a matter of fact, most patients will initially feel fatigue symptoms such as body aches, brain fog, irritability, exhaustion with a full night’s sleep, weight loss, low blood pressure, and lightheadedness. Although, what they don’t know is that this fatigue is stemming from a drop in cortisol levels. This drop will cause the opposite effect of what happens during an overproduction of these hormones leading to low serotonin in the brain (the “feel good” chemical that affects sleep, mood and appetite). Research suggests that an imbalance of serotonin levels can influence one’s mood which can lead to several neurological issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, panic attacks, and depression as a whole.

The Progression of Depression

There are four stages of the adrenal fatigue process and at the fourth/final stage the adrenal glands are completely imbalanced which is when depression can occur. The longer the cycle continues to progress, the worse one will be at handling their chronic stress. Soon, the stress will be so overwhelming that the adrenal glands will completely burn out and allow depression to settle in. While depression seems highly common, it is fortunately preventable. However, many people develop it due to the constant denial of adrenal fatigue as a condition from conventional doctors, which halts early treatment for patients. Secondly, since people are unaware of the existence of adrenal fatigue, it’s difficult for them to recognize the onset of depression until it finally begins to affect their lives.

Treat Adrenal Fatigue to Relieve Depression

When people try to treat their depression, they are usually prescribed with an antidepressant to regulate the neurotransmitters that affect emotions and mood. While many of these medications are effective in what their meant to do, they only change the moods in the brain while not impacting anything related to the adrenal glands. This is why many patients report feeling better for a little while before feeling depressed again. Some people experience a fluctuation in their moods from high points to low points, and others may suffer from adverse reactions such as more anxiety, suicidal thoughts or withdrawal symptoms once they quit the medication.

At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we look at the whole body, so those with depression as a symptom will do several lab tests to discover their underlying cause. This includes testing for cortisol levels and neurotransmitters.  If adrenal fatigue is indeed the cause of one’s depression, they will be ordered a treatment program that will get the adrenals working properly again and any other symptoms, including depression should disappear.  Based on symptoms and test results, this can include intravenous therapies, detoxification, peptides, hydrocortisone, a supplement regimen and dietary changes.  With renewed energy and cortisol levels, this will regulate serotonin levels and also help individuals handle their stressors better. Additionally, they’ll notice a difference in their thinking abilities and memory. Naturally, they’ll experience a feeling of happiness and a decrease in stress levels.

If you or someone that you know are suffering from depression or adrenal fatigue, please call to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners at 727-466-6789.

References:

1. Depression (who.int)