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Default Dec 16, 2018 at 02:41 PM
  #1
Back in 1998 to about 2002 I had straight up bad anxiety. I had a few panic attacks and went to the ER about 10 times. It was very bad. This is when I was introduced to Ativan. During this time I do not really remember what I ate but I am guessing it was very carb heavy. Cereal for breakfast etc.

Around 2002 all the low carb diets came out and I rather changed the way I was eating. Breakfast was mostly eggs and instead of a whole bagel it would be 1/2 of one. Lunch would be a tuna wrap and dinner changed to protein and veggies. No pasta or rice or potatoes. I would say I went from about 150gs of carbs to about 50 to 75gs.

Slowly and not really noticing panic and anxiety subsided. Not saying I didn't have moments of them but never really went back to the ER for them.

Recently I decided to try a high carb diet. Mostly vegetarian. I went from about 75gs of carbs to about 150gs for about 4 weeks... then this happened.

- terrible insomnia,
- increased heart rate,
- a feeling like the shakes,
- I got dizzy twice at work where I had to sit down.

It was straight up torture. I realized what was happening and have dropped back over this last week. I still have some trouble sleeping but I am feeing better.

I am amazed. It seems obvious to me now what was happening and how it all changed. I even wonder now if my last 10 years normal blood pressure and normal heart rate are due to the lower carb way of life.
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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 12:50 AM
  #2
Wow. Amazing story. I am vegetarian but really need to lower the carbs and introduce more fats and protein. Yeah, cuz of the insulin spikes. Wow. Thanks for this so very much. I am going to keep a mood chart for awhile cuz now I am really interested...as I suffer from anxiety.

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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 02:16 AM
  #3
There is so much evidence for the correlation between diet and anxiety/depression/mental illness. I think it's great that you have experienced these benefits first hand and they are helping you!

I eat a very carb-heavy diet. I pretty much live on bread. I have a hard time with food - I love to eat but there aren't a lot of foods I'll actually eat, if that makes any sense. The only meat I eat is chicken breast. I don't like sauces or spices. I like my food quite bland. I was recently at an all-inclusive in Mexico for a week and EVERY DAY i ordered chicken and rice for dinner!!

I struggle with anxiety and depression and have no doubt that if I could just change my diet it would make a huge difference. Food is a total mind-*****...there's no question...I'm really glad to see your post because it is a bit of a motivator for me to try to reduce my carbs just a bit and see if i can notice a difference.
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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 06:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by piggy momma View Post
There is so much evidence for the correlation between diet and anxiety/depression/mental illness. I think it's great that you have experienced these benefits first hand and they are helping you!
I have found all kinds of food changes in me. When I diet (generally 1000 calories) my periods change. It makes me have a period. Not sure why. I have also found that eating less does cause some lack while eating more can be a cure for insomnia.

But this, this was dramatic.

I will note there could be a physical basis. When low carbing I know I have "thyroid" esqe symptoms. My T3 is lower than normal and I have a low heart rate (60 and under) low blood pressure (110 /70) and low body temp. I found out during the course of this that your body uses carbs and the gut to convert T4 into T3. Thus... you get my thyroid when you are eating more carbs. Also I know meat can have amino acids that relax you.
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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 07:10 AM
  #5
Thank you for sharing this, Emily Fox Seaton. I think food is a very underrated but important element when it comes to MI. That's why I think having an healthy diet and lifestyle is important. I hope this thread will be helpful for others who are struggling with something similar. Sending many hugs to everyone
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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 07:28 AM
  #6
A few years ago, I went on a ketogenic diet as well and noticed my mood was much more level and steady. Eventually when my depression went nuclear, I went back to full on carbs, also gained a lot of weight as well.

Not a scientific study by any means but I have noticed that too much sugar and white flour seems to coincide with mood being either unstable or very low. It's kinda of a chicken or the egg type thing, I'm not sure if the mood drives the craving or the cravings bring on the mood difficulties. They both seem to occur at the same time.

Right now I'm trying to take a more moderate approach, still eliminating grains and really starchy vegetables (like potatoes, yams) but including a lot more carbs from veggies (cooked and fresh).

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Default Dec 17, 2018 at 10:19 AM
  #7
I can fully relate to this, it's been my experience too, that there's a corelation between carbs, especially bread and flour carbs and anxiety and bad mood.
It's a cycle. When I feel low a crave carbs and carbs make my mood worse.

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Default Dec 24, 2018 at 02:22 AM
  #8
What you say makes sense! What we put in our bodies matters so much. My general rule is that if my great grandmother couldn't get it at her market or grow/raise it on her farm back in the day, then I tend to stay away from it. I've got an autoimmune disease, and this logic has served me quite well in that realm.
With that being said, I am currently in the worst emotional/mental state of my life and experience severe physical symptoms to go along with it. I guess what I eat doesn't matter for me.
I'm happy to know it works for others.
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