Feel tired all day long, even after a good night’s sleep? This could point to one of the most overlooked health concerns: signs of adrenal fatigue caused by excessive stress on the adrenal glands.

The adrenals are a pair of triangle-shaped glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and they take center stage in your stress resilience, cognitive function, and hormone balance. The truth is adrenal exhaustion, also known as adrenal fatigue, is one of the most common yet most overlooked health problems in recent times.

Adrenal exhaustion, also known as adrenal fatigue, is one of the most common yet overlooked health problems in recent times.

WHAT ARE THE ADRENAL GLANDS?

The adrenal glands are involved in producing adrenal hormones in the body, including cortisol, which is involved in the fight-or-flight response.

Imagine that you’re hiking through the woods with your children when suddenly, a mountain lion appears. Immediately, your heart starts pounding and your adrenals begin producing adrenaline and other hormones to give you a quick burst of energy to fight the lion or pick up your children and run away as fast as you can.

The problem is that your body doesn’t recognize the difference between one kind of stress and another. Whether it’s physical stress at the sight of a mountain lion or mental stress caused by working 60 hours at your job each week, your body reacts the same way: it pumps out loads of stress chemicals.

When running from the lion, you put the chemicals to use and get them out of your system—no problem. But many people are faced with the latter type—intense mental stress—daily, and eventually, it can lead to adrenal exhaustion.

WHAT IS ADRENAL FATIGUE?

In our go-go-go society, we experience stress regularly. Traffic jams, relationship problems, and last-minute work projects mean that we’re stressed from the time we open our eyes until we hit the sack at night. This can cause our adrenal glands to go into overdrive, making them produce the hormone cortisol continuously.

Prolonged exposure to chronic stress can lead to adrenal glands burning out, manifesting as key signs of adrenal fatigue, such as persistent tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and low energy levels. We call this adrenal exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, or adrenal gland failure, and it reduces your body’s ability to cope with daily stressors.

When this occurs, you may feel fatigued throughout the day, have trouble tackling or completing chores or tasks associated with daily living, and may find it difficult to perform at work.

Adrenal fatigue can also make you fat—especially in your abdomen, which increases your risk for cardiovascular disease. Chronic exposure to stress hormones also kills brain cells in the hippocampus, a major memory structure in the brain.

WHAT CAUSES ADRENAL FATIGUE?

Chronic, unrelenting stress is one of the primary contributors to signs of adrenal fatigue, which can also result from poor sleep, an unhealthy diet, or exposure to toxins. Chronic stress can affect the function of the pituitary or adrenal glands, leading to adrenal fatigue.

One of the contributors to chronic stress is a lack of sleep. An estimated 50-70 million Americans aren’t getting enough of it, according to statistics from the State of Sleep Health in America in 2022. If you aren’t getting adequate sleep—approximately 7-8 hours at night—your body enters a state of stress overload.

Other potential causes include a poor diet, excessive use of caffeine or stimulants, chronic pain, negative thinking patterns, emotional trauma, exposure to environmental toxins, and food sensitivities.

In addition to these issues, people with adrenal fatigue may also have low levels of DHEA, a master hormone that is involved in the production of many other hormones.

DHEA levels generally begin to decline once a person hits age 30 and may be depleted in some people with medical and mental health issues, such as anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes), AIDS, and more.

Certain medications, such as insulin, steroids, and opiates, may also play a role in lowering DHEA levels.

11 Warning Signs of Adrenal Fatigue You Should Know

Wondering if you or a loved one might have adrenal exhaustion? Look out for these signs of adrenal fatigue:

1. Decreased ability to withstand stress
2. Mental fog with poor memory and difficulty concentrating
3. Morning and afternoon fatigue, lack of stamina
4. Abdominal fat that doesn’t go away, no matter what you do
5. Low libido
6. Cravings for sweets or salty foods
7. Hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) under stress
8. Dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position
9. High blood pressure and rapid heartbeat
10. Signs of premature aging
11. Recurrent infections and poor wound healing

In addition to these, there are other symptoms that may indicate adrenal fatigue, such as muscle weakness and mood changes.

If you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to discuss them with a healthcare provider who is familiar with adrenal fatigue.

DIAGNOSING ADRENAL FATIGUE WITH BLOOD TESTS

Getting diagnosed with adrenal fatigue can be challenging. This is why it’s important to see a medical professional, such as an integrative medicine (or functional medicine) physician, who is familiar with the condition.

Diagnosing adrenal fatigue often requires evaluating cortisol and DHEA-S levels, especially if you’re experiencing persistent signs of adrenal fatigue, such as morning fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

In some cases, blood tests may not be helpful, however, saliva tests may be beneficial in helping to detect abnormal levels.

ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY: A RELATED CONDITION

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol. This can be caused by damage to the adrenal glands or a problem with the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands.

Depending on the underlying cause, adrenal insufficiency can be categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary.

• Primary adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged, often due to an autoimmune disease, infection, or tumor.
• Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
• Tertiary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates the pituitary gland, is damaged or not functioning properly.

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, and darkening of the skin. If left untreated, adrenal insufficiency can lead to serious complications, such as an Addisonian crisis, which is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal tenderness
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Coma

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms of adrenal issues, make an appointment with your healthcare provider:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Muscle weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Darkened skin
• Low blood sugar
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain
• Hair loss
• Mood changes

It’s also important to seek medical help if you have a history of adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease and are experiencing any of the following:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

Early diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency can help prevent serious complications and improve quality of life.

NATURAL REMEDIES TO SUPPORT ADRENAL FATIGUE

If you’re noticing signs of adrenal fatigue, incorporating natural remedies can help restore adrenal function:

• Stress-management techniques: Reducing stress is key to recovering from adrenal fatigue.
• Meditation: Making meditation part of your daily routine can calm stress.
• Self-hypnosis: Using hypnosis to put yourself into a state of relaxation can be very beneficial.
• Kill the ANTs: Eliminating automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) can help reduce stress and worry.
• Eliminate nutritional stressors: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods.
• Eat foods that support adrenal function: Focus your diet on foods that are nutritious, low in sugar, and high in fiber.
• Nutritional supplements:
  • B vitamins—either in foods like green leafy vegetables or in supplements—support the adrenal system and help our bodies deal with stress.
  • 5-HTP helps you sleep and boosts serotonin levels in the brain, which helps you calm stress.
  • Phosphatidylserine can also be helpful for adrenal fatigue.
  • DHEA, if levels are low, is an important supplement to counteract adrenal fatigue.
  • Adaptogens: Some research shows that adaptogens improve stress resistance.
  • Vitamin D: Some studies have linked low vitamin D levels to the overproduction of cortisol and suggest that supplementation with vitamin D may be beneficial in adrenal diseases.

Recovering from adrenal fatigue takes time. Remember, it took months or even years to wear down your adrenal function, so it will take some time to heal. The best way to accelerate the healing process is to adopt healthy lifestyle changes that reduce stress and support adrenal function.

Reviewed by Amen Clinics Inc. Clinicians

Finding the right mental health treatment can feel like a slow process. You might expect dramatic shifts, but progress often involves small steps that build over time. Noticing these incremental gains can help on your healing journey.

One study found that taking responsibility and ownership of your mental health—not solely relying on your psychiatrist or therapist—drives better mental health outcomes.

Here are 10 ways to know if your mental health treatment is working so you can continue to improve. These signs may come as gentle shifts rather than huge transformations, but they’re powerful proof that you’re on the right track toward better therapy outcomes.

10 SIGNS MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IS WORKING

Common treatment options for mental health problems include helpful forms of therapy, natural solutions, nutritional supplements, lifestyle changes, and psychiatric medication (when needed). If you want to know if your treatment program is leading to better therapy outcomes, look for these signs.

1. You’re more aware of your feelings and triggers.

One of the first signs that mental health treatment is working is increased self-awareness. You may find yourself more attuned to your emotions and start identifying specific triggers that influence your mood.

This awareness can help you navigate challenges with greater understanding and control. Once you start to feel more in control of your emotions and be more aware of your moods, it can be easier to implement the new strategies you learn in therapy.

2. You’ve adopted healthier coping strategies.

Effective mental health treatment often involves learning and using healthy coping strategies. If you notice that you’re replacing old unhealthy habits with new ways that reduce stress, calm anxiety, and alleviate low moods, this is a great indicator of progress.

You’ll most likely start to look forward to implementing practices instead of turning to less helpful outlets. Here are a few things you may start using:

• Diaphragmatic breathing to self-soothe and take control of your anxieties
• Journaling to identify your triggers and track what works and what doesn’t
• Motivation to enjoy movement or the mental energy to exercise again

3. You respond more thoughtfully to others.

Progress in your healing journey can also reveal itself in how you respond to people around you. Rather than reacting impulsively with anger, anxiety, or negativity, you might find yourself pausing before responding to choose a more measured reaction. This growth in your emotional regulation is a key indicator that you’re getting better.

Reactive mood disorders, such as borderline personality disorder and certain forms of depression, often involve intense responses to triggers. Gaining control over these automatic reactions shows that your treatment plan is helping you manage emotions in a healthier way.

This can help you improve interactions with others, mend relationships with loved ones, and strengthen your resilience in challenging situations.

4. You engage in kinder self-talk.

Mental health treatments often involve reshaping how you talk to yourself. If you catch yourself using gentler language and being less critical of yourself, it’s a sign you’re on the path to improvement.

Negative self-talk can be one of the hardest habits to break, so every step toward compassion in your inner dialogue is a positive sign of mental growth.

5. You have fewer automatic negative thoughts (ANTs).

In the early 1990s, Amen Clinics founder Dr. Daniel Amen coined the mnemonic ANTs—for automatic negative thoughts—to explain the different kinds of unwanted and unhelpful thoughts that get stuck in your mind. These ANTs crawl around and undermine your mental well-being.

If your mental health treatment is working, you may notice these ANTs are less frequent or less intense than before.

This doesn’t mean they will disappear completely. It does mean that you’re getting better at challenging them. Questioning your negative thoughts is the best way to help you break the cycle of self-doubt and gain a better perspective of your circumstances.

6. You have more energy.

​​The right treatment for mental disorders can make noticeable improvements in your energy levels by addressing underlying issues that drain your physical and mental stamina.

Mental health conditions like clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic stress often come with symptoms of exhaustion, burnout, trouble focusing, and a lack of motivation. With an effective treatment plan, you may find that you have more enthusiasm to engage in activities you once enjoyed.

As your mood improves, that low-energy state starts to lift, and you can feel more energized to take on daily tasks without feeling overwhelmed. This is an encouraging sign that your treatment is helping. As stress decreases, your body conserves energy and you’ll feel refreshed and more resilient through your mental health journey. 

7. Your relationships are improving.

Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it affects your relationships too. If your connections with family, friends, or partners are becoming stronger and less stressful, it’s a clear sign you’re getting better.

Working with a mental health professional may be improving your communication skills and providing deeper self-awareness. This shows that the positive changes within you are extending outward.

The ripple effect of better personal relationships can reach your professional life as well. This can reduce the amount of stress you need to juggle on a daily basis and allows you more space to invest in your social life as well.

8. You have more mental clarity.

Progress in your mental wellness brings a greater sense of clarity in your thoughts and actions. If you notice your mind is feeling less cluttered and you’re able to focus better, you’ll also be able to organize your thoughts and reduce mental fog.

You’ll find it easier to make decisions and stay engaged in activities without feeling mentally drained. The importance of clear goals for effective mental health treatment cannot be overstated.

A 2020 study found that people who felt unclear about their therapy goals tended to feel less connected to their therapist, experienced more severe symptoms, required more sessions, and felt less reliant on their therapist.

Overall, this shift in focus and organization is a powerful sign that your mental health treatment is helping you feel more in control and grounded in your daily life.

9. You’re noticing more micro-moments of happiness.

If you find yourself noticing more little moments of happiness—whether it’s a smile from a stranger, a warm cup of tea, or the sound of birds singing—these are powerful signs of positive mental health progress.

Remember, progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about small, positive changes that add up over time. Take time to care for your mental, physical, social, and spiritual health so you can enjoy those personal happy moments without overthinking.

10. You feel more hopeful.

One of the most rewarding indicators of a successful mental health journey is an increase in hope. If you find yourself looking forward to the future and believing that things can improve, you’re experiencing a profound mental shift.

Feeling hopeful is a cornerstone of better therapy outcomes in an effective mental health treatment. It fuels the courage you need to keep going and gives a clearer perspective on your journey with the confidence to keep moving forward.

NOTICE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRESS

Every moment matters in your growth toward healing. You can use these insights to guide your next steps in the right direction on your roadmap to healing and growth.

It can be easy to overlook these signs when you’re focused on everyday struggles, but they’re worth celebrating. If you’re noticing even a few of these changes, it’s a good sign that your mental health treatment is moving you in the right direction.

Reviewed by Amen Clinics Inc. Clinicians