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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2009, at 7:10:06
Anyone know if there is a correlation between low cortisol levels and a tendency for anxiety/panic?
Posted by Maria3667 on January 29, 2009, at 10:31:10
In reply to Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2009, at 7:10:06
Hi JB,
I always thought it was the other way round, i.e. high cortisol and anxiety/depression. Researchers are however not unified on this topic.
I found this link explaining it a little more:
quote:
"Decreased levels of cortisol have been found in CFS patients, which means they have an inadequate response to stress. In contrast, depressed patients have elevated levels of cortisol, which suggests that the underlying physiology is different," Buchwald commented.According to Michael Sharpe, M.D., a psychiatrist and expert in CFS at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, low cortisol levels are also found in anxiety disorders including PTSD, but the link between low cortisol and CFS is unclear."
See: http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/36/1/20
My best,
Maria
> Anyone know if there is a correlation between low cortisol levels and a tendency for anxiety/panic?
Posted by desolationrower on January 29, 2009, at 12:09:45
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety » Jimmyboy, posted by Maria3667 on January 29, 2009, at 10:31:10
atypical depression/dysthymia tends to have lower cortisol or at least insensitivity to cortisol
also i think lower dhea to cortisol is related to depression
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2009, at 12:20:33
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by desolationrower on January 29, 2009, at 12:09:45
I didn't know that thanks d/r. Phillipa
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2009, at 13:27:38
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by desolationrower on January 29, 2009, at 12:09:45
Yeah, i reasearched the HPA axis info a few yrs ago ( the best I could - its quite complicated) and came away with the simplistic belief " cortisol bad" - well apparently its more complicated than that.
I think to low or too high are both bad or as d/r said if the rhythym of release is some how wacky ( ie- you put out a lot at night as opposed to morning like you are supposed to) - then there are going to be major problems.
I have taken 7-keto , which lowers cortisol before and felt pretty ok at first and continued to feel worse as I took it. Could be b/c it lowered cortisol too much or it could be a million other things we don't understand.
i did read one anecdotal comment about low cortisol being associated w/ anxiety so I was wondering ( hoping) someone could add to that.
Posted by bleauberry on January 29, 2009, at 17:27:04
In reply to Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2009, at 7:10:06
As best I know, low cortisol or high cortisol can both cause anxiety. If someone experiences anxiety at certain times of the day every day, it could be their cortisol curve is either too low or too high at that time of day. A 24 hour 4 sample saliva test will show the curve. Trying to treat a cortisol problem is fairly straight forward but not if you're guessing. The lab tests are straight forward objective and show the way it really is.
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2009, at 20:19:16
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2009, at 13:27:38
Mostly for women but what the heck???? Phillipa
http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/anxiety.aspx
Posted by desolationrower on January 30, 2009, at 0:22:58
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2009, at 20:19:16
it is associated with stress, but is in the sense that it is there to help you deal with stressors. the problem arises when you don't rid yourself of the stressors and the stress becomes a constant feature.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2009, at 21:33:16
In reply to Re: Low Cortisol and anxiety, posted by desolationrower on January 30, 2009, at 0:22:58
Such is life stress busters we need you any out there???? Love Phillipa
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