How to Talk to the Experts when you Feel like you’re Losing your Mind or Experiencing Rage.
Hack Your Hormones
Why do I Feel so Low and where is this Rage Coming from?
Our emotions can be dictated to us and impacted by life, but they can also dictate how life can look and feel. It’s perfectly normal to feel, to be a bit up and down, but prolonged low mood, anxiety or depression is not normal and early intervention is key. Our emotions should not be ruling the roost and your GP is there to help you navigate the rollercoaster of life.
Mood Impactors
If you feel yourself lacking in motivation; experiencing anxiety, or overthinking every minute detail; you find yourself sleeping too much or too little; are overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness or hopelessness; consider yourself to be worthless; have suicidal thoughts; have poor concentration or are indecisive; experience panic attacks or have lost your appetite, it’s time to seek help and get your mojo back in check.
Depression can be a temporary state, even though it might feel like it’s got its hooks in you, preventing you from seeing the wood for the trees. Take a breath and think about your coping mechanisms - are they healthy ones or are they perpetuating the issue?
Rest
You might find that a lack of sleep and low mood is making you lose your temper, or even worse, instigating fits of rage. Not only are you suffering, but those around you are as well. The first thing you need to do is let go of the guilt because there is likely a biological reason for these out of body moments. The second step is to know how to identify whether you need to speak to your doctor because your emotions are making you have violent urges; palpitations; clammy hands; headaches; chest pain; misplaced anger; restlessness or agitation; inner voices commanding you to act a certain way; feelings of suspicion or paranoia; or people are telling you that you’re not quite yourself, it’s time to make an appointment.
Life Drains
You might also consider how your environment is impacting your brain chemistry. If you never escape the binging or the bonging of your phone, your body will be in constant alarm mode, releasing cortisol and activating your sympathetic nervous system. Does social media constantly have you comparing your reality to the Instagram lives of others? Does the news incite fear and dread? If so, ditch the trigger - shut it up and out because it is not serving you.
A Note on Cosmetic Enhancement
Often cosmetic enhancement involves adding to our bodies outside of the realms of nature, and these additions can sometimes impact our mood and brain chemistry without us connecting the dots. For example, whilst Breast Implant Illness isn’t officially recognised as a medical condition by all healthcare authorities, it is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that some individuals with breast implants report experiencing. The reasons behind this may involve the way the immune system reacts to silicone leakage, or implant-related infections. If you are someone who has opted for implants and are experiencing symptoms such as: fatigue, joint pain, cognitive issues, and mood disturbances, it may be worth speaking to your doctor to make sure your implants are intact and not preventing you from feeling like your best self.
Testing
If you think your mood is being affected by your biology, you can ask your GP to test your makeup. Sometimes you just need to know what to ask for.
Medical Tests:
- Hormones: TSH, T4, thyroid antibodies, DHEA, cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone, FSH
- Full blood count: anaemia, B12, folate deficiency, white cell distribution
- Liver function test
- Vitamin D
- B12, folate, Homocysteine - methylation
- Metabolism - blood sugar control and its impact
- The tests mentioned in the ‘How to Talk to the Experts about Sleep’ may also be worth asking for.
Integrative medicine
- Digestive testing - comprehensive stool testing
- Organic acid test - neurotransmitter processing
- Core mineral status
Your doctor is also able to refer you to support groups such as: Behavioural Modification Support services, group therapy and relationship counselling if you want to opt for a less invasive route.
Hack Your Mood
Our review of the Hack Your Hormones chapter ‘Why do I Feel like I’m Losing my Mind? And our mood blogs have a tonne of advice that could support you in taking a natural and holistic approach to your brain chemistry; however, don’t ignore the warning signs of declining mental health or brain fog and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or get worse.
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