Lesson 6: Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression can have various root causes. Anxiety and depression often occur as a result of, or a combination of, some of the following reasons:
- Disordered thinking patterns
- Misbeliefs
- Unhealed traumas
- Holding onto unforgiveness
- Anger and resentment
- Codependency (a.k.a. Self Love Deficient Disorder)
- A rejection mindset
- Excessive negative self-talk
- A lack of healthy personal boundaries
- Failure to be assertive
- Control issues
- Physical ailments (see below)
- Part of the grieving process from a recent loss or life change (see Illustration 1 below)
Illustration 1 - Five Stages of Grief (Kübler-Ross Model)
Video Teachings: The Need to Grieve and More on Anxiety
Depression
Download, print, and read the Depression document below.
| Depression Handout |
Video Teachings: Depression
Is It Physical?
In some cases, chronic anxiety and depression can also be the result of physical ailments coming from such issues as:
The body is holistic; therefore, it is important to consider that you client could have imbalances related to his/her health when it comes to chronic anxiety and depression. When ministering to a client who is suffering with chronic anxiety and depression, it is wise to advise him/her to be evaluated by a primary care physician to rule out any potential underlying physical conditions. Additionally, you may suggest your client see a functional medicine doctor who can offer more specialized screening which can get to the root cause of an ailment, unlike what a traditional PCP is able to do. Also, your client may want to consider seeing a chiropractor who can check for any spinal misalignments and/or a dentist or holistic dentist who can evaluate their dental condition.
Lastly, poor nutrition and a lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor to anxiety and depression. Therefore, be sure to check-in with your client regarding his/her diet and sleep habits to see if he/she could benefit from healthier eating and sleeping habits. You may also want to share information with your client regarding supportive nutritional supplementation that may further support their recovery (see the Supplement and Herbal Suggestions section below).
- Hormonal imbalances
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Diabetes
- Heart issues
- Side effects of certain medications
- Dental issues (e.g., toxicity from root canals or cavitations)
- Exposure to environmental toxins in a person's home/office/car (e.g., mold and mycotoxins)
- Spinal misalignments; subluxation of the C1 vertebrae
The body is holistic; therefore, it is important to consider that you client could have imbalances related to his/her health when it comes to chronic anxiety and depression. When ministering to a client who is suffering with chronic anxiety and depression, it is wise to advise him/her to be evaluated by a primary care physician to rule out any potential underlying physical conditions. Additionally, you may suggest your client see a functional medicine doctor who can offer more specialized screening which can get to the root cause of an ailment, unlike what a traditional PCP is able to do. Also, your client may want to consider seeing a chiropractor who can check for any spinal misalignments and/or a dentist or holistic dentist who can evaluate their dental condition.
Lastly, poor nutrition and a lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor to anxiety and depression. Therefore, be sure to check-in with your client regarding his/her diet and sleep habits to see if he/she could benefit from healthier eating and sleeping habits. You may also want to share information with your client regarding supportive nutritional supplementation that may further support their recovery (see the Supplement and Herbal Suggestions section below).
Supplement and Herbal Suggestions
For clients with chronic anxiety and depression, you can suggest they consider the following beneficial supplements, herbs, and/or superfoods. Always encourage clients to CHECK WITH THEIR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY NEW SUPPLEMENT OR HERB:
- L-Tyrosine - This has been shown to help people who struggle with depression. It is an amino acid precursor of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Taking L-Tyrosine on an empty stomach is supposed to cause an increase in norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which can lead to increased energy, alertness and improved moods, thus relieving depression.
- 5-HTP - 5-HTP encourages the synthesis of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of endocrine and brain activity responsible for well-being and appetite. Research shows that using 5-HTP for depression may help alleviate depressive symptoms.
- EPA and DHA (plant-based) - People who struggle with depression sometimes have low levels of EPA and DHA. Therefore, taking a high-quality EPA/DHA supplement can be beneficial.
- Curcumin - This boosts serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain which helps to relieve anxiety and depression.
- Valerian Root - This contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system responsible for regulating and inhibiting the activity of the brain's neurons. GABA creates a calming effect in your brain and helps with stress and sleep. This may be beneficial for those suffering with chronic anxiety.
- Vitamin D3 - Vitamin D (a prohormone) has been shown to play a role in pathophysiology of depression. In studies where vitamin D was given to improve those with low levels of vitamin D it was reported that subjects experienced a marked improvement in energy and mood and virtually no depression. Getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight a day is the best way to get vitamin D.
- Lemon Balm - This herb is helpful in providing relief from nervous tension due to stress. This herb helps with relaxation.
- Ashwagandha - This herb helps stabilize adrenals and minimizes adrenal surges. It also promotes a healthy stress response.
- B Complex and B12 - A good B Complex supports the overall nervous system, and B12 is essential for normal function of the nervous system.
- Cacao - Cacao is best known for its mood-enhancing and energy-boosting properties, and it is commonly known as the "food of the gods". Cacao contains high concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin, which help enhance mood and build up the body's stress-defense shield. It also contains anandamide, the "bliss chemical", and PEA (phenylethylamine), the "love chemical", which make us feel happy. For this reason, cacao is used as a natural anti-depressant and mood-enhancer. To receive the benefits of cacao it must be consumed in its raw form.
Video Teaching: The Importance of Nutrition
Assignment
- Complete the 15 Week Anxiety & Depression Course. This course will give you a complete working knowledge of anxiety and depression and will equip you to guide clients through overcoming anxiety and depression.
- Read The OCD Healing Journey, by Mark Dejesus. OCD falls under the umbrella of anxiety disorders and there will be many clients who struggle with this. For this reason, it is important to education yourself on this topic.
- Review the following handout located in your ministry tool kit:
- 5 Stages of Grief