

What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?.This article comes with a self-assessment enabling you to test your knowledge after reading it Abstract The endocrine system consists of glands and tissues that produce and secrete hormones to regulate and coordinate vital bodily functions. Clinical depression: What does that mean? This article, the fourth in an eight-part series, looks at the adrenal glands.Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?.Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you.Antidepressants: Can they stop working?.Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?.Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?.Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?.But accepting a medically unrecognized diagnosis from an unqualified practitioner may leave the real cause - such as depression or fibromyalgia - undiagnosed, while it continues to take its toll. It's frustrating to have persistent symptoms your doctor can't readily explain. Existing blood tests, according to this theory, aren't sensitive enough to detect such a small decline in adrenal function - but your body is. The unproven theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress.

Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include:Īdrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by blood tests and special stimulation tests that show inadequate levels of adrenal hormones.
