Anxiety Case Study

In this case study we look at two individuals who present with comparable anxiety symptoms. Without looking at their genetics, a practitioner might consider using similar acute and long-term treatment protocols. However, their genetic coding reveals how their anxiety aetiologies are different, thus requiring unique therapeutic management.

Andrew has always been an anxious man but lately started experiencing alternating depressive bouts with his anxiety.
He was promoted to head of his department 8 months ago.
2 months later he began waking at 3:00 am with racing thoughts. He also noticed he had an inability to let go of issues, even if they had been dealt with.
He stated that he “feels like I am under water all the time”.
He began experiencing frequent headaches, what he called hot flashes or sweats and chest tightness, all which were worse on stressful days.

FKBP5-CA: more receptor blocking, loss of negative feedback in HPA axis.
NR3C2-CC: fewer receptors, loss of negative feedback in HPA axis.
CRHR1-CC: more receptors and CRH production, stimulation of HPA axis
COMT -GA: less clearance of stress hormones.
CRY1- AG: blocks clock gene, decreased transition of sleep stages, increased bipolar risk.
IL6 -GG: increased inflammation in blood vessels, joints, increased temperature.
MMP3-TC: increased metalloproteases, joint inflammation and degradation.

Sereniten Plus: 2 caps BID empty stomach one dose before bed, and 1 cap in the middle of the night to restore normal HPA function and return the NS to the PS side.
Resveratrol Extra: 1 cap BID empty stomach to reduce IL6 and MMP3 production.
Melatonin PR 3 mg before bed to support the blocked clock gene and help transition into stage 4 sleep quickly.
Probio – 50B with food per day – he was already on this.
Massage therapy every other week.
Deep breathing – 1 minute 4 times a day.

Within 48 hours he reported feeling “like I can breathe again”.
2 week later he was sleeping 5 out of 7 nights per week, and if he woke, he was able to go back to sleep more easily.
3 weeks later the stress of his new job started to look more like excitement, headaches and flashes of heat gone, bowels 80% better.
2 months later we reduced his supplements to 1 BID, increasing PRN.
5 years later he was promoted again. This time he was thrilled about the process and handled it with quiet success.
NOTE: he needs to stay on the Sereniten Plus for his stress hormone genotype.

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Catherine is a mother of 3, one child with special needs.
Her father-in-law passed away, and her mother-in-law moved in with her family.
She was now caretaking for “4 children”. She began to resent the situation, and received little understanding from her husband.
She began having frequent stomach pains, and felt angry and overwhelmed all the time.
Usually she would resolve stress with running, but lately she had continual tendinopathies that prevented this.

FKBP5 –CC: normal HPA feedback
NR3C2 –TC: slightly fewer receptors with increased loss of negative feedback in HPA.
CRHR1 –TT: normal production of CRH and receptors.
COMT –AA: slow clearance of stress hormones.
CRY1-AA: normal sleep patterning.
IL6 –CG: moderate increased inflammation.
MMP3 –CC: high metalloprotease production.

GI Revive: 1.5 tbsp twice a day in water empty stomach for 1 bottle to reduce GI upset and inflammation.
Resveratrol Extra: 2 BID for 8 weeks then reduce to 1 BID to reduce MMP3 and IL6.
Hydrolyzed Collagen: 1 scoop per day in water always to support the joints.
Sereniten Plus :1 BID for 1 month and then off.

Within 48 hours she felt the anger easing in her body.
10 days later her stomach was 65% better, and 3 weeks later, she no longer felt her stomach.
1 month later her joint and tendon pain was 75% improved.
2 month later, she and her husband were in counselling together and improving the situation at home.
Even when ”issues arose” with her mother-in-law, Catherine remained calm and symptom free.
Note: She does not need to stay on Sereniten or GI Revive, she needs to support her MMP3 status that then increases her IL6 and vice versa long term. In keeping her joints healthy, she can then run and help maintain her stress status.