understanding the impact of adrenal fatigue on mental health and addiction recovery

AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 | Live Webinars $5

Understanding the Impact of Adrenal Fatigue in the Mental

Health and Addiction Recovery Process

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC, NCCExecutive Director, AllCEUs


Objectives Define adrenal fatigue Identify symptoms of adrenal fatigue Learn about the function of the HPA-Axis and

cortisol Explore how excessive stress may cause

adrenal fatigue Identify interventions for adrenal fatigue


Why I Care/How It Impacts Recovery Adrenal fatigue can cause many symptoms

that are commonly classified as depression and/or anxiety.

Standard antidepressant treatment will likely be unsuccessful in addressing these symptoms in this situation

Many people suffering from adrenal fatigue self medicate with stimulants and may eventually seek relief through escape provided from addiction


The Effect of Prolonged Stress Normal

Stressor/threat fight or flight response which stimulates/excites the person person eliminates the stressor/threat recovery period

Example: Final Exams, Big Project at Work


The Effect of Prolonged Stress Abnormal

Stressor/threat fight or flight response which stimulates/excites the person person cannot totally eliminate the stressor/threat or another stressor threat comes along continued stimulation adjustment to high stress “turn down the response” to prevent harm to the person lack of normal excitement at mild to moderate stimulus (Apathy, Depression)

Examples: Law Enforcement, Type-A, Negative Self-Talk, Excess Stimulant Intake


Adrenal Fatigue and the HPA The HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis

controls the stress response. The Hypothalamus is the brain center that determines if

there is a threat The pituitary is the relay switch that turns on or off the

adrenal glands The adrenal glands are responsible for secreting

cortisol/adrenaline that excites and prepares the organism for fight or flight

Dysfunction anywhere in the system can cause the person to either be too stimulated/stressed/anxious or not stimulated enough/depressed


Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Restless sleep

When under significant stress, adrenaline and cortisol levels are high which interrupts the natural 24-hour cycle of cortisol levels, leading to a state of permanent alertness that prevents restful sleep

Waking up in a panic attack or anxious state Difficulty maintaining blood sugar

In late stage adrenal fatigue cortisol levels are too low (the thermostat turned down). Cortisol is responsible in part for maintaining blood sugar


Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Excessive fatigue, apathy, depression

In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, your adrenals become unable to produce enough of the hormones that you need.

This means that your levels of cortisol, along with neurotransmitters like adrenaline and norepinephrine, are lower than they should be.

Emotionality- Barely holding it together. Any stressor becomes a crisis.


Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Apathy about or inability to handle even minor

stressors due to the low hormone levels associated with late-stage Adrenal Fatigue. The adrenals are no longer able to keep up with the

continued demand for cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine production needed to address the stress.

These hormones regulate the stress response and allow us to increase our strength, focus and awareness when we need it.

The adrenal function is constantly hovering around the exhaustion threshold level and the smallest stressor will often trigger an adrenal crash (including coffee)


Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Immune system issues

Cortisol has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to regulate your immune system.

Joint pain and gastro-intestinal flare-ups Food cravings

Fatigued adrenals produce less excrete large amounts of important minerals in the urine imbalance in mineral levels like sodium, potassium and magnesium in their blood cravings for foods which will replace the minerals that we have lost. (chocolate, peanut butter, salty foods)

Sodium/potassium imbalances can cause heart problems


What is a Stressor Anything that causes your body to speed up,

deal with a threat, or do work Mental stress/anxiety/fear/anger Physical stress: Exercise, recovery after injury or

illness Anything that prevents your body from

recovering Lack of sleep Poor nutrition Continued stress (Type A, yes-man, poor time

management, low self-esteem)


Stressors Hypothalamic Stressors

Cognitive stressors: When you interpret something as a threat it triggers the stress reaction

Rejection/IsolationFailureThe unknown/loss of controlDeath or bodily harm

Physical StressorsLow blood sugarExcessive stimulant intake Artificial stressLack of sleep/circadian rhythm disruptionExcessive exercise (intensity/duration)


Interventions Nutrition

Frequent small high quality mealsExcellent food choices: Chicken, tuna, salmon,

eggs, yogurt*, black beans raw spinach, broccoli, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, walnuts, quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread

Plenty of water Minimize sugary soda and juices Decaffeinated green tea (or black tea) Naturally decaffeinated coffee



Ideally eliminate or greatly reduceWhite flour Whole wheat or rye flourSugar, corn syrup HoneyPartially hydrogenated fats organic, cold pressed

coconut oil Keep a food diary—Target Nutrition

Magnesium 400mg/dayCalcium 1000mg/dayVitamin C 2-4 grams (2000-4000 mg)

Supplementation should be equally divided in 4 dosesVitamin E 800 IU



Keep a food diary—Target NutritionB Vitamins

Pantothenic Acid 250 mg – 750mg Niacin 50 mg B6 50mg B3 75mg B12 200mcg


Interventions Sleep

Create a sleep routine Keep naps under 45 minutes

Exercise– mild to moderate 30-45 minutes 3x/week Helps release serotonin Helps relax the body Increases blood oxygen


Interventions Address negative cognitions Manage time Energy Log

Keep a log of everything you do for a week. Identify which things are energy drains, and which

bolster your energy Mindfulness— Mind-Body Scan

First thing in the morning Before lunch Before dinner Before bed


Other “Alternative” Interventions Licorice root (supplement, not the candy) Ashwagandha with somnifera Astralagus root Siberian Ginseng (not panax) Adrenal cell extracts


Apply It Identify 3 ways you could have used this information

in the past week. What was the situation? What did you do? How effective was that for you?

Short termLong Term

If you would have had this new information, what could you have done differently?

How would that have changed the outcome? How can you start integrating this knowledge into your

routine


Summary Adrenal fatigue mimics depression Adrenal fatigue is a physical ailment that can

be compounded (or caused) by mental stress/anxiety

Interventions should start with improving lifestyle factors (1 per week)

Antidepressants, stimulants and steroids will generally have little effect on adrenal fatigue and may even make it worse.


Resources http://robbwolf.com/2012/04/09/real-deal-adrenal-fatigue/ Kharrazian, Datis. Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab

Tests Are Normal. Garden City, NY. Morgan Jame Publishing. 2010. Life Extension: Disease Prevention and Treatment. Hollywood, FL. Life

Extension Media. 2003. Murray, Michael. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential

Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally. Roseville, CA. 1996. Sapolsky, Robert M. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. The Acclaimed Guide

to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping. New York, NY. St. Martin’s Press. 2004.

Walsh, Bryan and Sean Croxton. The Truth About Adrenal Fatigue. Blog Talk Radio. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2010/10/07/the-truth-about-adrenal-fatigue-with-dr-bryan-walsh. 2010

Wilson, James L., N.D., D.C. Ph.D.. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. Petaluma, CA. Smart Publications. 2001.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2010/10/07/the-truth-about-adrenal-fatigue-with-dr-bryan-walsh

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2010/10/07/the-truth-about-adrenal-fatigue-with-dr-bryan-walsh

understanding the impact of adrenal fatigue on mental health and addiction recovery

Education