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Anxiety!

revenant

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revenant Enthusiast
revenant
Posted

Did anybody overcome any anxiety after going gluten free??

I've been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, and I have severe agoraphobia, I can rarely leave the house. I find I am worse after I've eaten something with milk or gluten.... Could it be the gluten?

Would love to hear any experiences.

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

It could be a contributing factor. Many have gotten relief from anxiety with the diet. I alas was not someone that just the diet worked for. I have PTSD and have, or I should now say had, agoraphobia. In addition to the diet I would strongly urge you to find a counselor that you can work with. Sometimes it has to be baby steps with the agorophobia. I started by sitting on my porch, then we progressed to going into my back yard when people were in the yard next door, then short walks etc. It can be overcome but it really helps to have someone to talk to about it and help you form a plan of action. Try the diet and see if it helps but if things don't improve enough after a couple of months do seek out some help.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I overcame a lot of mental problems going off gluten, anxiety included. I was just talking to a friend and she gets anxious when she is short of vitamin B12, which a lot of celiacs don't absorb well. A lot of folks around here take extra B12. I also find inositol powder and fish oil helpful if I get glutened and anxious.

lucia Enthusiast
lucia
Posted

I started having inexplicable anxiety attacks 1 and 1/2 years before I went off of gluten. They seemed to arise out of nowhere. I started taking an anti-depressant which controlled them. Since going off gluten, I've phased off of the anti-depressant and have no more anxiety attacks.

Marz Enthusiast
Marz
Posted

I started having panic attacks after a severe stomach bug.

I overcame it somewhat using the "Linden method" - just google it and you'll find his site. I found the program *very* useful in lowering my anxiety without drugs.

When I went gluten free my anxiety greatly lessened and no more panic attacks :D

I hope it is the same for you, otherwise check out this course or go see a counsellor to talk to.

A hint about the Linden method - it's based around *distraction* - distracting yourself by busying your mind with something else like an enjoyable hobby. At the same time it's all about decreasing your level of anxiety down to a "normal" level.

I do think there's a good chance that if you're gluten sensitive, it can crank up the anxiety a huge amount. I think your body just knows something is wrong!

beals Newbie
beals
Posted

I'm a member of a social anxiety forum, and there is one person who got rid of much of their anxiety by going gluten free. This gives me hope, as I have pretty bad SA!

lovemydog Newbie
lovemydog
Posted

That's very strange because ever since I went gluten free, I get chest pressure/anxiety. I think the chest pressure and heart palpiations could be from my hiatal hernia or stomach acid because I take antacid chewables and the pressure goes away.

I mean I'm not going to lie, I'm sort of a high strung person with some mild OCD tendencies but I've always managed to control it and don't really get full on anxiety attacks. I'm just one of those over thinkers with lots of energy and I'm very skinny despite eating like a pig. I take chamomile pills and they help relax the digestive system and respiratory system so they do calm me down. I would recommend getting some.

But I definitey feel like the chest pressure/discomfort comes first and THEN I start having anxiety. It's just me reacting and thinking, "oh no, what's wrong with me? Am I having a heart attack?" So do you guys think there is a relation to going gluten free and having this new symptom of feeling like an elephant is sitting on my upper chest?

Thanks for any info. I'm new here and desperate for some answers and sick of doctors undermining my compaints/symptoms.

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Marz Enthusiast
Marz
Posted

But I definitey feel like the chest pressure/discomfort comes first and THEN I start having anxiety. It's just me reacting and thinking, "oh no, what's wrong with me? Am I having a heart attack?" So do you guys think there is a relation to going gluten free and having this new symptom of feeling like an elephant is sitting on my upper chest?

Thanks for any info. I'm new here and desperate for some answers and sick of doctors undermining my compaints/symptoms.

hey there, hope you're still lurking around to see my answer. Have you been to a doctor to have the chest pain/pressure checked out? If you have and your heart is in good condition, then you have nothing to fear but the fear itself ;). Just wanted to make sure you got checked out first though.

Regarding the anxiety, my panic attacks I think were fairly mild. But it always started with a bit of nausea, and then I start thinking obsessively that I might have food poisoning. That was my fear trigger. As soon as I learnt that my mind was producing all the anxiety related stuff (heart rate increase, increased nausea, burning in hands and on back) - I realized I didn't need to fear it. Distraction works well for me- doing something busy. It used to often happen in bed, so I learnt some visualization exercises, listened to my fav music on headphones until it passes etc.

I'm surprised it's happening on a gluten-free diet though. Are you 100% sure you are not getting glutened? Maybe you still in the withdrawal period, and your body is percieving the loss of gluten as a threat? Or it could be as you suggest. - some other stomach problem. Have you been for an endoscopy? If antacids give relief , or if it's worse around meal times or on an empty stomach you may have an ulcer?

Hope you find relief from the problem soon!!

adab8ca Enthusiast
adab8ca
Posted

my anxiety has skyrocketed since i went gluten free 3 and a half weeks ago.....

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