This is the 7th post in an 8-part series of the “SPLENDID” Approach to Holistic Management of MCAS. If you missed the prior articles, click here to start from the beginning.
Anxiety and depression are far too common among patients with MCAS. Many patients are told that stress is the cause of the disease, or that it’s all in their heads, often for decades leading up to diagnosis. Stress alone is NOT the cause, but the perfect storm of factors (sometimes including stress) can often lead to immune and nervous system dysfunction.
Many patients experiencing MCAS note a “chemical-like” feeling to their anxiety that increases when their physical symptoms are flared up. First and foremost, it’s essential to figure out what underlying factors or health stressors are responsible for the mast cell hypersensitivity. By identifying and eliminating physiological factors such as viral and bacterial infections, parasites, hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, environmental toxins, improper nutrition, mold, adrenal dysfunction, and other issues, many patients find that their anxiety and/or depression resolves or improves on it’s own.
That being said, the majority of patients that I work with have some background of trauma, whether minor or major in their eyes. It’s absolutely essential that this component is addressed and not ignored in order to reach a place of well-being. Conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others must be addressed with the help of licensed mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy and techniques like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), sound healing, binaural beats, Safe & Sound Protocol, and Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises can be excellent tools for this patient population. Other nervous system-focused approaches can have a profound impact. (See the previous post on nervous system re-training for more ideas.) Certain herbal supplements can also really help in this department; work with an integrative provider to determine what is best for your body.
There are other strategies that can also help shift patients from a place of frustration or learned helpless to a place of empowerment:
- Let go of past wrongs (from the medical system, your family and friends, etc.)
- Let go of the uncontrollable and recognize when your actions persist simply to gain some form of control over the situation.
- Be cautious with the double-edged sword of social media.
- Set healthy boundaries in your relationships.
- Allow yourself to think about your dreams, passions and goals. Maintain an identity beyond the chronic illness, label or diagnosis.
- Set short- and long-term goals.
- Your mindset really matters. Reflect on the messages you are telling yourself and make sure that they are positive.
- Come up with positive mantras and keep repeating them until you truly believe them.
- Re-frame the way you think about mast cells. Instead of demonizing them, thank them for helping alert your body to potential threats. Be grateful for and kind to your body.
- Prioritize time for self care. Incorporate things like meditation, grounding and time in nature.
- Find balance between self-focus and outreach to others.
These are a few ideas that have helped patients with chronic illness. What other strategies do you use to help reduce inflammation from mental stress?
