{"id":8992,"date":"2020-03-06T14:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-06T22:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=8992"},"modified":"2021-02-05T20:30:21","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T04:30:21","slug":"botox-injections-cosmetic-or-non-cosmetic-are-they-a-root-cause-of-anxiety-and-panic-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/botox-injections-cosmetic-or-non-cosmetic-are-they-a-root-cause-of-anxiety-and-panic-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Botox injections (cosmetic or non-cosmetic): are they a root cause of anxiety and panic attacks?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"botox<\/p>\n

New research shows Botox injections are being considered for severe depression and bipolar disorder because it stops frowning and this lack of frowning has a positive impact on neurotransmitters and mood. I recently posted this on Facebook and asked this question:<\/p>\n

I\u2019m curious if you have had Botox injections or would consider it (for cosmetic reasons) or perhaps for migraines, dystonia, proctalgia fugax or depression\/bipolar?<\/p>\n

If you have had Botox injections are you happy with the result or did you have any adverse effects like increased anxiety, panic attacks or anything else?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The response was varied with most folks saying they would never consider using Botox for cosmetic reasons, some folks saying they used Botox for cosmetic reasons and had issues and some folks saying they\u2019ve used Botox for cosmetic reasons and love it, and others who have used Botox for non-cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n

All the practitioners who commented have concerns about Botox saying results are mixed with some of their clients having severe reactions and some doing fine. As I looked further into this topic I\u2019ve gained additional insights and my biggest concern for you, and my community, is that Botox can lead to very severe anxiety and panic attacks.<\/p>\n

I encourage you to keep an open mind about my Botox concerns if you have chronic anxiety that is not resolving and it started (or got worse) after receiving Botox injections, or if\u00a0 you\u2019re considering Botox injections.<\/p>\n

Anxiety, panic attacks, inability to handle stress, body shaking<\/h2>\n

I gained my biggest insights from the Botox Dysport (Side Effects) Support group<\/a>. Someone suggested I look into this group and I requested an invite to join so I could learn more. So many of the members of this support group\u00a0 report anxiety, panic attacks, inability to handle stress, body shaking and problems connecting socially.\u00a0 This is what one member shared:<\/p>\n

…just joining the dots, I’ve been unwell for a few years since getting Botox but didn’t put it together until having it last week and going into panic attacks \/ ER.<\/p>\n

Since then extreme anxiety and I’ve ended up in a mental health facility on benzodiazepines (ativan\/valium). Reactions \/ withdrawal has been severe, have started to put it all together whilst reading through this page.<\/p>\n

I’m realising that my decline, immune system failure (chronic epstein barr) fatigue, loss of motivation, loss of appetite, shaking in my body, muscle atrophy, anxiety, no motivation to connect socially, can’t handle any stress, can’t relax, tinnitus, breathing trouble and the list goes on is from botox…. scared to say the least as doesn’t seem to be a solution, I was worried to get Botox originally and obviously am eating myself up with regret, thought I would share if anyone has a similar story.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are many similar posts to this one and it\u2019s heart-breaking, especially because they say they are not being heard by their doctors.<\/p>\n

I had a short online conversation with one of the moderators and she shared they suspect Botox is impacting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leading to high cortisol and causing their anxiety symptoms. Many of the members find relief with Seriphos, which is a phosphorylated serine product I\u2019ve had great success with. Here is my blog post on Seriphos for anxiety and insomnia related to high cortisol<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I asked if any of the members find GABA or serotonin support helpful and for some GABA helps ease the physical tension<\/a>\u00a0and for other members tryptophan or 5-HTP helps ease the worry type of anxiety<\/a>. However for others, the amino acids seem to have a paradoxical effect and make symptoms worse.<\/p>\n

I’ve never been in favor of Botox for cosmetic reasons simply because I\u2019m not a fan of putting foreign objects\/toxins into the body and because I believe in aging gracefully with confidence. I do find that many women feel the need for cosmetic Botox injections and other ways to try and look younger (such as breast implants and hair dye) because of low self-esteem and lack of confidence caused by low serotonin.<\/p>\n

Botox for non-cosmetic purposes<\/h2>\n

Botox is also used for non-cosmetic purposes. Some of my neurologist colleagues also have concerns about cosmetic use and will only use Botox injections for the following:<\/p>\n