How to Replace Low Stress Hormones

Low-stress hormones are thought to be the most common cause for disorders such as autism and social anxiety. The levels of cortisol in the brain are elevated when a person encounters a social situation. These elevated levels of cortisol help people to make good decisions when in social situations. Those who suffer from autism or social anxiety often are shown to not release cortisol but have an elevated occurrence of low-stress hormones instead, which hinder their ability to make good judgment calls in social situations. Changing the imbalance of low-stress hormones with more cortisol through behavioral exercises is a way to combat autism and social anxiety. Here is how you can replace low-stress hormones.

Instructions

1. Undergo psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can treat low-stress hormones by identifying the nature of the hormone and what triggers reactions to stressful situations. It can help patients learn to deal with their low-stress hormones through controlling those negative reactions.

2. Complete cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy involves the patient participating in exercises that put them in stressful situations and then measures their reactions to them. Those who have social anxiety may find their low-stress hormones slowly replaced as they learn to deal with those situations through constant practice, as directed by a physician.

3. Go to counseling. Counseling can help a patient find the root of their low-stress hormones and learn how to overcome them through recognition of their origins. When a patient realizes where the anxiety is coming from, he is better equipped to handle the situation. Counseling is also very helpful to family members of those who suffer from low-stress hormones so they are better equipped to understand the disorder and how to prevent reactions.

4. Try medication. If therapy does not work, a physician may turn to medication to replace a patient's low-stress hormones. Many patients respond well to lithium carbonate, which helps to stabilize low-stress hormone levels, leaving them more relaxed and ready to deal with social anxiety or other stressful situations.

5. Consider new treatments that are being developed such as hyperbaric chamber therapy, which seeks to boost the flow of oxygen to the brain of one who suffers from low-stress hormones. Ask your doctor what treatments you may be a good candidate for.