The Physical, Emotional, and Mental Impacts of Adrenal Burnout and Mold Exposure

by Dr. Susan Cucchiara, ND

My name is Dr. Susan Cucchiara, Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in both California and Connecticut and the owner of Naturally Sue Wellness. I have been practicing as an ND just shy of a decade and my true passion is leading patients to optimal health. My practice is mostly virtual, but I also see patients in person a few times a year in NYC.

When an individual has been exposed to excessive and prolonged stress, they can reach a state of what we call “burnout”. Burnout is more than just being tired. Burnout is state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion and is a prevalent theme I see in my patient population.

What is Burnout?

Commonly, burnout has been referred to mostly in the workplace when employees have reached their true capacity to meet the intense demands of their employer and then undergo subsequent depression, anxiety, cynicism, lack of motivation, and diminished productivity. If not addressed, employees can become ineffective and totally disillusioned with their role and/or job.

Burnout can also have a significant impact on one’s physical health including insomnia and or disrupted sleep, appetite changes, low energy, and experiencing frequent illnesses. Even more than the physical impacts, burnout can affect one’s emotional health as mentioned and can also involve isolation and detachment due to the feelings of being trapped, helpless, and defeated.

But it’s important to remember that burnout comes in many forms and affects many different kinds of people dealing with many different kinds of stress. For example, other groups I see reach that level of burnout in my practice are:

– Caregivers – parents or those having to take care of a sick loved one

– Trauma survivors – those who have experienced childhood or adult trauma and have PTSD or Complex PTSD from ongoing, inescapable, relational trauma

– Chronic illness warriors – those who have experienced autoimmune disease, mold illness, Lyme Disease, or any ongoing and persistent medical or health condition

Why so Much Burnout?

So, how did we get here? In our modern-day society, there do not seem to be enough minutes in a day to get everything done. Am I right? It feels like time flies by, and our to-do lists get longer and longer. We have much more societal pressure on us than ever before. We have the rise of social media where we are always comparing ourselves to others and trying to live up to certain expectations whether or imagined. This is particularly hard for those in the PTSD or chronic illness space because even though they may have a desire to do many things, health challenges put limitations on what they can and cannot do; this can cause even more depression amongst this group.

Burnout Can be a Consequence of Having it All

We are in a society where we truly can “have it all”, but at what expense?

I have patients from all walks of life, different economic statuses and ages, but one thing many have in common is that they are really hard workers, and they strive to be successful (whatever way that may look to them). Some of them are entrepreneurs and are trying to keep up with that hustle and grind every single day. Some of them are in corporate America with the 9-5. Some of them are full-time caregivers. So many of these patients are experiencing levels of fatigue that is surpassing “tired, and they are running on fumes.

So, What Do We Do Now?

You’re at complete burnout and you don’t know where to start.

Whether you choose to have a Naturopathic Physician guide you through this process, or start to DIY, the first step is to lay down the foundations of health. While the bedrock items may not seem glamorous or like they would move the needle, they are paramount to your recovery from burnout.

Foundations include:

– Nutrient dense diet

– Movement

– Sunlight

– Stress management

– Quality sleep

– Fun

Before buying fancy supplements, you need to ask yourself, are you at least fueling your body with what it needs, moving your body every single day, getting sunlight into your eyes and on your skin daily, finding way to reduce your stress, prioritizing quality sleep and having fun?

I often hear, “I am too tired or too sick to exercise.” That’s why you simply need to start by walking. It can even be 10 minutes to start, and you will slowly work your way up to longer and longer distances, as your fatigue starts to lift. Exercising will not only improve mood and help to get anxious energy out, but it will help with getting exposed to sunlight (if you do it outside), as well as help you get more quality sleep. Also, movement helps lubricate joint spaces and it’s an important step to help individuals to start reducing their pain. Do what you can. If you have to start with stretching, that is okay too!

“How can I have fun?” you may say. Although it should be the easiest, this is the hardest for many people because they prioritize work over fun. Laugher and experiencing joy are important for your healing. Fun can come in many ways, and it doesn’t always need to be a lavish vacation in Hawaii. Fun can be doing some fun inner child exercises like blowing bubbles on the beach, doing a paint by numbers, having dinner with a friend, baking a healthy yummy treat, putting on your favorite song and dancing, or going out dancing if you can. Everyone is at different phases of their life and their health and, of course, you do what you can but doing something that makes you laugh, or smile is essential.

Second step after these begin to be implemented is to run thorough blood work as well as a specialty hormone/adrenal test by Precision Analytical, called the Dutch test.

The Dutch test will help determine if there is a hormonal imbalance we have to address, which is common due to poor diet choices, lack of movement and sleeplessness that occur during burnout. It is also helpful to see an individual’s cortisol levels mapped out throughout the day, as supporting their cortisol levels will help them adapt to stress better and start the process of burnout recovery. I will talk more about adrenal health in an upcoming article!

The following markers are commonly checked by our practice in order to determine next steps:

– Nutrient deficiencies

– Inflammation markers

– Viral reactivations

– Heavy metals

– Infections

– Mold markers

– +more!

Its naturopathic philosophy to give the body what it needs before helping to detox any toxins. When you give the body what it needs, it naturally starts detoxing through our pathways of elimination (liver, kidneys, bowels, skin, etc.). Only after working on these diet and lifestyle changes and repleting any nutrients that have come back deficient on the blood work panel, do we then go for the next step and can recommend items to help further open drainage pathways and facilitate detox.

If mold markers are present on the labs, I then start to support the patient in detoxing these in a safe way.

Why is it Important to Address Mold in Burnout Patients?

Exposure to mold can cause “brain on fire” and can actually cause symptoms that overlap with burnout. We are talking about anxiety, depression, brain fog, insomnia, etc. You truly can’t heal one without addressing the other. The approach to healing burnout requires repletion of vital nutrients, supporting the adrenals, and elimination of toxic compounds.

Another question can come up and that is…”Can mold cause burnout?” In my perspective, it certainly can. If someone is being challenged by being exposed to daily mycotoxins, working long hours at work, and trying to take care of their family for example, this can definitely pave the way to someone reaching a level of burnout.

Additionally, think about all that mold illness involves! Many patients have severe stress around finding mold in their home and the process that comes along with it. Mold remediation and moving can take a huge toll on someone’s pocket and mental state. Patients often are worried about their children and what effect the mold is having on their health and truly feel overwhelmed by the entire process. Let’s face it, it’s not an easy feat!

Based on my experience as an ND working with patient’s day in and day out; in order to heal truly from any health condition, it is imperative to start with the basics as mentioned above. Then, locate any areas that are obstacles to cure. For example, if the body is being burdened by mycotoxins that can affect multiple different organ systems, one must resolve this toxic burden in order for them to start healing which of course includes recovering from burnout.