Anxiety

​Anxiety is a serious condition that makes it hard for a person to cope with daily life. 3 million Australians are living with anxiety. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life (1). Anxiety disorders have a lifetime prevalence of approximately 34% in the US, are often chronic, and significantly impair quality of life and functioning (2).
If you’re dealing with anxiety, you may not be familiar with some other things that can make you anxious, and it’s essential that you know how to identify them. Once you know what they are, it makes it much easier for you to manage them (3).
It Could Be Hormonal
Anxiety is closely linked to certain hormones that we produce. Stress hormones like cortisol are usually produced in times of anxiety but its presence can also make you anxious. Other hormones like estrogen and testosterone can influence your anxiety as well. When the level of testosterone falls, for example in andropause, there are more periods of anxiety. When estrogen levels fluctuate, for example in the menstrual cycle, you may have PMS as well as anxiety. You can try to balance your hormones naturally by eating properly and getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis (4-9).
It Could Be Your Health
Studies have shown an almost cyclical relationship between mental health issues and physical ones. Anxiety, in particular, may be linked to illnesses such as asthma and heart disease. Apart from getting treatment for any ailments you may have, you can improve your overall health by eating properly and getting consistent exercise (3). When looking for a multivitamin, you should do your research and choose one that has scientifically based benefits. It’s also best to avoid fillers, as they not only add nothing of value, but in some cases, they could also be harmful
It Could Be Your Medications
Some of the medications that can trigger your anxiety include beta-blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure and migraines, as well as corticosteroids that are used as mood stabilizers (10). If you suspect your medication could be having an effect on your anxiety, you should definitely talk to your doctor about alternatives (3).
It Could Be What You Are Drinking
Caffeine has been known to trigger your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, which can negatively affect your anxiety. It’s best to cut down on the amount of coffee you drink and avoid energy drinks entirely. You can look into alternatives like green tea and delay your morning cup of coffee by an hour so your body can enjoy its natural burst of energy. There’s also a link between alcohol and anxiety. Persons may be tempted to drink alcohol to relax, but if you drink too often, it can have the opposite effect (3, 11).
It’s difficult enough to deal with anxiety without having mystery triggers sneaking up on you. Now that you know what some of those triggers can be, you can stay on top of them. It must be noted that you should consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical regimen or trying any other remedies (1).
If you have any further questions on some of these basic things make sure to talk to one of our Drs (DC) at Sprouting Health Chiropractic and Kinesiology.
 
References
 

1. Beyond Blue. (2024). URL: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/anxiety. Accessed 8/4/2024
2. Szuhany KL, Simon NM. Anxiety Disorders: A Review. JAMA. 2022 Dec 27;328(24):2431-2445. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.22744. PMID: 36573969.
3. Brown D. Unexpected things that could be triggering your anxiety. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2021;2.3. URL www.apcj.net/papers-issue-2-3/#BrownAnxiety
4. Li SH, Graham BM. Why are women so vulnerable to anxiety, trauma-related and stress-related disorders? The potential role of sex hormones. Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4:73-82.
5. Ferree NK, Kamat R, Cahill L. Influences of menstrual cycle position and sex hormone levels on spontaneous intrusive recollections following emotional stimuli. Conscious Cogn. 2011;20:1154-1162.
6. Bryant RA, Felmingham KL, Silove D, et al. The association between menstrual cycle and traumatic memories. J Affect Disord. 2011;131:398-401.
7. Ferree NK, Wheeler M, Cahill L. The influence of emergency contraception on post-traumatic stress symptoms following sexual assault. J Forensic Nurs. 2012;8:122-130.
8. Graham BM, Li SH, Black MJ, Öst L-G. The association between estradiol levels, hormonal contraceptive use, and responsiveness to one-session-treatment for spider phobia in women. Psychoneuroendocrinol. 2018;90:134-140.
9. Graham BM, Denson TF, Barnett J, et al. Sex hormones are associated with rumination and interact with emotion regulation strategy choice to predict negative affect in women following a sad mood induction. Front Psychol. 2018;9:937.
10. Ciriaco M, Ventrice P, Russo G, et al. Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S94-8. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120975
11. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. URL: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics