The Effects of Hormones on Depression & Anxiety

Hormones have a significant influence on regulation of mood and anxiety in humans. Medical treatments, such as antidepressant medications that act on neurotransmitters and hormone replacement therapy may be a treatment option for you for treating depression and anxiety.

  1. Estrogen-"Female Sex Hormone"

    • Estrogen levels have been linked to the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. According to Osvaldo et al (2009), estrogen replacement in older women improved mood and cognitive abilities.

    Testosterone-"Male Sex Hormone"

    • Testosterone levels have been linked to changes in mood and anxiety. Elevated testosterone levels appear to help decrease anxiety when faced with a stressful situation. Low levels of testosterone are linked to depressive symptoms, including fatigue.

    Cortisol-"Stress Hormone"

    • Cortisol levels increase when faced with a stressful situation. Sleep deprivation and consistently high stress levels are associated with increased cortisol levels.

    Serotonin

    • Serotonin levels that are low are common with individuals experiencing depressive symptoms and anxiety. Medications, such as SSRI antidepressants, are used to increase serotonin production or block reuptake.

    Norepinephrine

    • Low norepinephrine levels are associated with feelings of depression. Elevated levels of norepinephrine are present during stressful periods. Norepinephrine release appears to play a role in the "flight-or-fight" response.

Related Searches:

References

Resources

You May Also Like

  • Menopause, Depression and Anxiety

    Menopause can lead to many physical problems. And on top of that, it may also affect your mood, leaving you in a...

  • What Is Hormonal Imbalance Anxiety?

    Hormones regulate nearly every function in our body. A hormonal imbalance can affect mood, skin health, fertility, energy levels, anxiety levels and...

  • How Hormones Affect Depression

    Hormone levels have a large effect on depression according to traditional Chinese medicine. Learn more about how hormones affect depression with tips...

  • Anxiety & Depression Effects

    Anxiety and depression are serious mental illnesses that can profoundly affect your life. Not only are there the obvious feelings of fear...

  • The Normal Levels of Norepinephrine in the Body

    Norepinephrine is a hormone in the body which helps regulate the body's "fight or flight" response and essentially controls the body's response...

  • Signs of Hormone Anxiety

    Signs of hormone anxiety are very similar to any other form of anxiety, but it is much more common in women. Recognize...

  • Depression & Anxiety Treatments

    Both anxiety and depression are common and normal emotional reactions to stressful life events. However, if the occurrence of either becomes frequent...

  • How to Lower Cortisol Levels to Help Insomnia & Adrenal Fatigue

    It is important that cortisol is at its highest levels in the morning and at its lowest levels at night. The purpose...

  • Testosterone Overdose Effects

    Testosterone Overdose Effects. The medical community once considered testosterone to be a male-only hormone needed for reproduction. However, in the 21st century...

  • Cortisol Stress

    Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the body into the blood stream as a reaction to stress. This is a...

  • Menopause, Anxiety & Hormone Replacement Drugs

    Mood swings, anxiety, hot flashes and vaginal dryness are among common symptoms that women experience during menopause, which occurs when the ovaries...

  • Side Effects of Female Hormones

    Hormone-replacement therapy can be highly beneficial for women after natural menopause or sudden menopause resulting from a hysterectomy. The two female hormones...

  • How Do I Handle Anxiety Without Medication?

    Those suffering from anxiety generally are stressed and worry about certain situations in life. Some of the characteristics of anxiety include feeling...

  • Hormone Therapy for Depression

    Depression affects millions of people regardless of age and gender, and is often due to some form of hormonal imbalance or deficiency....

  • Side Effects of Bioidentical Hormones

    Bioidentical hormones are essentially the same hormones a woman's body makes during her childbearing years, like estrogen, progesterone and androgen. Much like...

  • Side Effects Related to Hormone Imbalance

    Out of all the chemical imbalances that appear in the body, those involving hormones can be the most noticeable of all. Not...

  • Female Hormone Disorders

    Hormone disorders can be a problem for many women. Not only can the disorders cause many unpleasant symptoms, they can also cause...

  • Human Growth Hormone Secretion Rates in Children

    Human growth hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland, a master gland found at the base of the brain. HGH functions...

  • Natural Hormone Replacement Side Effects

    Hormone replacement therapy is often prescribed to women who are having a difficult time going through menopause. Unfortunately, traditional synthetic hormone ...

  • Natural Treatment for Estrogen Deficiency

    As women age, they experience symptoms of estrogen deficiency leading into menopause. Although prescription medications are available to replace falling estrogen ...

Related Ads

Featured