Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Am I Insane? (Trying To Explain Gluten Sensitivity And My Psychological Symptoms To Non-Sufferers)

Kates77

Recommended Posts

Kates77 Rookie
Kates77
Posted

The majority of my symptoms are psychological: depression, stress, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, obsessive thinking about food, binge eating etc.

 

I also experience digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, malabsorption, bloating, excess gas and other physical issues like horrible acne, fatigue and weak joints.

 

But my most severe issues (depression/mood swings/food obsession and cravings) are psychological. This makes it extremely difficult for me, when I am trying to explain the connection between gluten sensitivity and my brain, to non-sufferers that just cannot comprehend how diet can impact the way we think.

 

If I was a non-sufferer, I would have trouble believing it as well! But the dramatic change that my whole personality underwent when I went gluten free was just so life changing that I am so convinced in the power of food as something that can both heal and harm. I guess I'm just in need of a bit of support from other people that also get psychological symptoms, and how a gluten free diet has dramatically improved their mental health.

 

Everyone seems to think I'm absolutely insane, and it is just so exhausting trying to explain all of my issues and the link to gluten, without sounding like a nut job.

 

I am currently eating gluten because I am going to get my blood test and endoscopy next Friday, and I find myself praying that I have Celiac Disease, because at least then the connection between my symptoms and gluten would be more concrete. I can't believe that I find myself hoping that my intestines are damaged just so that people will believe me!

 

I would appreciate any comments/advice! x

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


MIgrainePosterChild Newbie
MIgrainePosterChild
Posted

The majority of my symptoms are psychological: depression, stress, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, obsessive thinking about food, binge eating etc.

 

I also experience digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, malabsorption, bloating, excess gas and other physical issues like horrible acne, fatigue and weak joints.

 

But my most severe issues (depression/mood swings/food obsession and cravings) are psychological. This makes it extremely difficult for me, when I am trying to explain the connection between gluten sensitivity and my brain, to non-sufferers that just cannot comprehend how diet can impact the way we think.

 

If I was a non-sufferer, I would have trouble believing it as well! But the dramatic change that my whole personality underwent when I went gluten free was just so life changing that I am so convinced in the power of food as something that can both heal and harm. I guess I'm just in need of a bit of support from other people that also get psychological symptoms, and how a gluten free diet has dramatically improved their mental health.

 

Everyone seems to think I'm absolutely insane, and it is just so exhausting trying to explain all of my issues and the link to gluten, without sounding like a nut job.

 

I am currently eating gluten because I am going to get my blood test and endoscopy next Friday, and I find myself praying that I have Celiac Disease, because at least then the connection between my symptoms and gluten would be more concrete. I can't believe that I find myself hoping that my intestines are damaged just so that people will believe me!

 

I would appreciate any comments/advice! x

I can completely relate to this. When I try to explain to my doctor that I am certain I have malabsorption, she looks at me like I'm crazy. I try to explain my feelings of derpersonalization and she recommends I should see a psychiatrist, but I know what I am experiencing is tied in with my constipation, flatulence, acid reflux, etc and the most likely cause is Gluten. I don't think you're crazy and I hope you figure it all out. I am now looking into possibly IV therapy through a natural health clinic because they did list malabsorption, depression, anxiety, fatigue and chronic stress in the list of treatable afflictions.  

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I wouldn't go into it trying to explain to anyone but your doctor(s).  You can say "it keeps me from thinking clearly", but I won't go into a lot more detail than that.  They won't understand, or relate.  And it doesn't really matter if they do, as long as they respect your choice to be gluten free.

Kates77 Rookie
Kates77
Posted
  • Author

I can completely relate to this. When I try to explain to my doctor that I am certain I have malabsorption, she looks at me like I'm crazy. I try to explain my feelings of derpersonalization and she recommends I should see a psychiatrist, but I know what I am experiencing is tied in with my constipation, flatulence, acid reflux, etc and the most likely cause is Gluten. I don't think you're crazy and I hope you figure it all out. I am now looking into possibly IV therapy through a natural health clinic because they did list malabsorption, depression, anxiety, fatigue and chronic stress in the list of treatable afflictions.  

I have so many of the same symptoms as you! All of my friends want me to see a psychiatrist and my uncle thinks that I have an eating disorder because I didn't want to eat anything at a restaurant we went to when I had been gluten-free for a week (I tried explaining to him that I would EVENTUALLY eat out, but I was brand new to being Gluten-Free and just wanted to be super safe for the first little while). I really hope you work it all out with the IV therapy. Good luck :)

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

Katie...for your own edification/interest/support; you may want to read about Abram Hoffer.  Interesting fellow, a psychiatrist from Canada, since died, but was in the Orthomolecular psychiatry movement.

The majority of my symptoms are psychological: depression, stress, anxiety, mood swings, cravings, obsessive thinking about food, binge eating etc.

 

I also experience digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, malabsorption, bloating, excess gas and other physical issues like horrible acne, fatigue and weak joints.

 

But my most severe issues (depression/mood swings/food obsession and cravings) are psychological. This makes it extremely difficult for me, when I am trying to explain the connection between gluten sensitivity and my brain, to non-sufferers that just cannot comprehend how diet can impact the way we think.

 

If I was a non-sufferer, I would have trouble believing it as well! But the dramatic change that my whole personality underwent when I went gluten free was just so life changing that I am so convinced in the power of food as something that can both heal and harm. I guess I'm just in need of a bit of support from other people that also get psychological symptoms, and how a gluten free diet has dramatically improved their mental health.

 

Everyone seems to think I'm absolutely insane, and it is just so exhausting trying to explain all of my issues and the link to gluten, without sounding like a nut job.

 

I am currently eating gluten because I am going to get my blood test and endoscopy next Friday, and I find myself praying that I have Celiac Disease, because at least then the connection between my symptoms and gluten would be more concrete. I can't believe that I find myself hoping that my intestines are damaged just so that people will believe me!

 

I would appreciate any comments/advice! x

MIgrainePosterChild Newbie
MIgrainePosterChild
Posted

I have so many of the same symptoms as you! All of my friends want me to see a psychiatrist and my uncle thinks that I have an eating disorder because I didn't want to eat anything at a restaurant we went to when I had been gluten-free for a week (I tried explaining to him that I would EVENTUALLY eat out, but I was brand new to being Gluten-Free and just wanted to be super safe for the first little while). I really hope you work it all out with the IV therapy. Good luck :)

Thank you! I'll let you know if it helps. I am so tired of phantom symptoms of illness.

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted

You don't owe anyone else an explanation of what is causing you to feel a certain way, because the average person *might* be able to throw around a bit of psychobabble talking points from watching Oprah, Dr. Oz, and a few other cable teevee personalities, or reading trashy popular magazines online, but they have not taken college level courses in psychology or had any medical training.  Malnutrition, and therefore shortages of vitamins and minerals, causes problems with food cravings....  this is not rocket science. This is a physical reaction.  Well-nourished people don't feel the need to binge - eat, because they are not starving to death on the inside. 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

It's no different (im simplifying greatly here) than the link between hypothyroidism and depression symptoms that miraculously disappear when the thyroid is treated. This is a documented effect...perhaps using it as an example would help explain?

For some Celiacs, I swear it's like our bodies convert healthy food to junk food. Why, how...I don't know but that's the effect. I assume its the malabsorption from intestinal damage, plus the obvious gluten rejection/AI response (which we all express differently).

MIgrainePosterChild Newbie
MIgrainePosterChild
Posted

I know that everyone is different so this might not work for you, but I have just started taking a digestive enzyme pill after each meal and I have been feeling a lot better. 

sisterlynr Explorer
sisterlynr
Posted

I agree that you should just not talk about it to people that you know don't understand.  Just tell them that you feel better, no details needed.

 

Most restaurants have an allergy menu which includes gluten allergy.  I just ask the server for their allergy menu and order from it.   

 

Good luck!

EmiPark210 Contributor
EmiPark210
Posted

Here are some articles to back you up: 

 

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

 

I had to go back on gluten because of my biopsy next Friday after being off for three weeks and the psychological effects are amazing. Off gluten my ADD seemed to disappear and the insecurities I've been working through in therapy for four years now didn't seem so bad. But don't expect everything to get 100% better immediately. Some people heal more quickly than others. 

 

Good luck!

taynichaf Contributor
taynichaf
Posted

You sound exactly like me!...same situation! I am also paying that I am a celiac, because I know there has to be a reason for the person I've changed into..

Simona19 Collaborator
Simona19
Posted

I would like to add one more thing: Why almost every autistic child is put on gluten and casein free diet? It appears that they do better on it. There is some controversy about it, but I met one woman not to long ago in the Whole food whose naturopath suggested this diet for her son and she was willing to try it. Even you know one popular celebrity whose son has autism and currently is on gluten and casein free diet. It's Jenny McCarthy. I heard her once on Helen to talk about it. She is also on the same diet with her son and she stated that it changed her son's life. Maybe you can explain your situation with the help of this fact?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,083
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Melvac
    Newest Member
    Melvac
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I looked at, including Vanilla Bean, have a Gluten Free statement. Is it safe? Who knows. The ingredients are either safe or nearly safe (some have "natural flavor"). There are warnings about "contains milk and soy" but not about wheat - this implies they are safe, but again, who knows. On the other hand, every flavor I checked of their Slow Churn line of ice creams has wheat as an ingredient. 100% not safe.
    • knitty kitty
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance.  This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse.  When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved.  However, some people (both those with and without Celiac Disease) are genetically programmed to stop producing lactase as they age.   Do be aware that many processed foods, including ice cream, use Microbial Transglutaminase, a food additive commonly called "meat glue," used to enhance texture and flavor.  This microbial transglutaminase has the same immunogenicity as tissue transglutaminase which the body produces in response to gluten in people with Celiac Disease.  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTg IgA) is measured to diagnose Celiac Disease in blood tests.  Microbial Transglutaminase acts the same as Tissue Transglutaminase, causing increased intestinal permeability and inflammation.   New findings show that microbial transglutaminase may be able to trigger Celiac Disease and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.   Microbial Transglutaminase is not required to be listed on ingredients labels as it's considered a processing aid, not an ingredient in the U.S.  Microbial Transglutaminase has been GRAS for many years, but that GRAS standing is being questioned more and more as the immunogenicity of microbial transglutaminase is being discovered. Interesting Reading:  Microbial Transglutaminase Is a Very Frequently Used Food Additive and Is a Potential Inducer of Autoimmune/Neurodegenerative Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537092/
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      There is a 10 year old post in this forum on Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream. The information is somewhat outdated and the thread is closed to further comment, so here is a new one. Edy's And Dreyer's Grand Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - 1.5 Quart is labeled "Gluten Free". This is a different answer than years gone by. I don't know the answer for any other flavor at this moment. On 1 May, 2026, Edy's website says: "As a general rule, the gluten in Edy's and Dreyer's® frozen dessert products is present only in the added bakery products, such as cookies, cake or brownies. We always label the eight major food allergens on our package by their common name. We recommend to always check the label for the most current information before purchasing and/or consuming a product. The exception to this rule is our Slow Churned French Silk frozen dairy dessert, which contains gluten in the natural flavors." https://www.icecream.com/us/en/brands/edys-and-dreyers/faq It seems that Edy's and Dreyer's are more celiac-friendly than they were 10 years ago. Once I found enough information to make today's buying decision, I stopped researching.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      EDG 3 years ago fine, now it shows focal villous blunting,

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      probably not your situation @Mimiof2, but allow me to add one more to @trents list of celiac-mimics: "olmesartan-induced sprue-like enteropathy"  
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      My dad had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.  Fortunately, it was discovered during an exam.  The doctor could feel my dad's heart beating in his stomach/abdomen.  The aneurysm burst when the doctor first touched it in surgery.  Since he was already hooked up to the bypass machine, my dad survived ten more years.  Close call! Triple A's can press on the nerves in the spinal cord causing leg pain.  I'm wondering if bowing the head might have increased the pressure on an aneurysm and then the nerves.   https://gulfcoastsurgeons.com/understanding-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-symptoms-and-causes/ Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as a Claudication https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4040638/
×
×
  • Create New...