Welcome back to The Paleo View, episode 383. (0:40)
We are talking about anxiety this week!
Inspired by a listener's question, Stacy and Sarah will be discussing generalized anxiety disorder.
It was fascinating for Sarah to research this topic because of her family's history with generalized anxiety.
Matt has been formally diagnosed with anxiety and does therapy and medication to help him with both his anxiety and his depression.
When Matt and Stacy switched to a paleo diet it did help him reduce his medication.
However, Stacy wants to put it out there that there is nothing wrong with the various things that you need to do to maintain your quality of life.
Between modern medicine and the various treatment options available, please do not have shame or negative emotions associated with any of this.
You are not alone and there is no stigma.
What Stacy and Sarah are going to talk about today, you have their support and there are people in your life who will support you in making changes so you feel your best as well.
This week's episode is sponsored by Joovv. (6:15)
Joovv has so many clinical tested benefits on a wide range of things, and in particular, has many benefits as it relates to helping with anxiety.
Thank you to Joovv for being both a sponsor on this week's episode and on previous episodes.
You can learn more about Joovv here.
 
GAD
Kayla reached out and said: I am super curious about what is happening in the body with generalized anxiety. (7:16)
I'm specifically interested in the kind of anxiety symptoms that arise without an antecedent or anticipation of a negative event; the generalized anxiety that appears seemingly out-of-nowhere, bringing chest tightness, fast heartbeat, and stomach unease on a perfectly lovely day.
I've noticed that anxiety is a common secondary diagnosis for many with autoimmune disease (especially digestive ones!), and I'm wondering if there's a certain inflammatory process tied to anxiety? 
As always, thank you so much for all that you do! I'm not exaggerating when I say you have saved my life. Thank you thank you thank you.
Sarah wants to note that the details of different mental health challenges vary, and for the purpose of today's episode she will be specifically focusing on generalized anxiety.
Withing generalized anxiety disorder there is a huge spectrum in terms of the symptoms that are experienced and the severity of the symptoms.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a psychological disorder that is described by exaggerated in response to normal challenges. (11:30)
It impacts 5% to 6% of Americans at some point in their lives.
Since many cases of anxiety go undiagnosed, that number is likely higher.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop generalized anxiety disorder.
It usually first appears from young adulthood through the mid-50s.
Genetics accounts for 30-50% of the risk for developed GAD, environment accounts for 50-70%.
Environment encompasses things like diet and lifestyle, infections, and toxin exposures as well.
 
The Symptoms
The list of symptoms for GAD is really long. (13:54)
However, the most stereotypical symptoms include:
excessive and ongoing worry and tension
an unrealistic perspective on problems
generalized muscle tension
headaches and migraines
sweating
lack of concentration
the need to go to the bathroom more often
feeling tired and fatigued, specifically morning fatigue
trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
being easily startled
elevated resting heart rate
Sarah also put together a list of the less obvious symptoms:
burning mouth syndrome
ears ringing (Tinnitus)
tunnel vision
yawning a lot
unexplained muscle pain
cold feet
numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
losing your voice
rashes or acne
any GI symptom
loss of libido
hair loss
The mechanisms behind all of these symptoms are tied to changes in the structure of our brain.
Mood and anxiety disorders are characterized by a variety of neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, and neuroanatomical disruptions.
Th