Anxiety & Depression
Research has shown that people who suffer from digestive issues are prone to anxiety attacks and depression when compared to healthy people. Depression is a common symptom seen in people with gluten intolerance, and it may be caused by several factors which include; reduction in serotonin levels, production of gluten exorphins that may affect the central nervous system and cause symptoms of depression, decrease in the amounts of helpful gut bacteria which can affect the central nervous system.
Anxiety involves feelings of worry, agitation, nervousness and unease. People with gluten insensitivity are prone to anxiety attacks. They experience panic attacks when they suspect that they may have eaten foods that contain gluten. A simple abdominal pain which may not have been caused by gluten would trigger serious panic attacks as well. When they begin to go on gluten-free diets, reports have shown that most patients begin to feel much better, and the bouts of anxiety and depression can reduce significantly.