Overview of Craving Type Questionnaire

Here's an example of the Mental Health SYMPTOMS that drive CRAVINGS for substances.  I use Julia Ross' The Craving Type Questionnaire to determine which neurotransmitter systems are depleted and causing symptoms and cravings. 

Take a look and check off the symptoms below that best describe your struggles with mood. What's standing out for you? If it's "ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS", don't worry, I see that a lot! We rank them 0-10 and knock them off one by one, prioritizing the most bothersome.

EXAMPLE: Worry and anxiety can be a result of low GABA AND/OR also low serotonin, so you may check off anxiety in both sections. Low GABA tends to result in a more physical anxiety, while low serotonin tends to result in more anxiety in the head, ruminating thoughts etc.

Low GABA

• Crave carbs, alcohol, or drugs for relaxation and calming
• Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed or stressed
• Feeling worried or fearful
• Panic attacks
• Unable to relax or loosen up
• Stiff or tense muscles
• Feeling stressed and burned-out

Low Serotonin

• Afternoon or evening cravings for carbs, alcohol or drugs
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks or phobias
• Feeling worried or fearful
• Obsessive thoughts or behaviors
• Perfectionism or being overly controlling
• Irritability
• Winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Negativity or depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Low self-esteem and poor self-confidence
• Anger or rage
• Fibromyalgia, TMJ, or other pain syndromes
• Difficulty getting to sleep
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep

Low Catecholamines

• Crave carbs, alcohol, caffeine, or drugs for energy
• Depression and apathy
• Easily bored
• Lack of energy
• Lack of focus
• Lack of drive and low motivation
• Attention deficit disorder
• Procrastination and indecisiveness

Low Endorphins

• Crave a reward or numbing treat
• Heightened sensitivity to emotional pain
• Heightened sensitivity to physical pain
• Crying or tearing up easily
• Eating to soothe your mood, or comfort eating
• Really, really loving certain foods, behaviors, drugs, or alcohol

Low Blood Sugar

• Crave sugar, starch or alcohol any time during the day
• Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if too long between meals
• Intense cravings for sweets
• Lightheaded if meals are missed
• Eating relieves fatigue
• Agitated, easily upset, nervous

There are specific amino acids to target the symptoms associated with depletion in each of the above areas. I have an advanced certification in Amino Acid Therapy to help you determine where to start!

It's sometimes straightforward and sometimes a "puzzle" to be figured out.

Often it takes just a few days or a week to resolve! Sometimes there's more going on and we need to take a deeper look "under the hood" to see if adrenal function, thyroid or gut health is causing the aminos not to work.

Curious? Book a call with me and I'll send you the Questionnaire and we can get started!