Can a herbal detox cause emotional instability/depression?

[smithereens]

Has anyone done a detox and experienced bizarre emotional side effects?  I am prone to occasional lethargy that I think stems from emotions, almost like a PMS but maybe one in 10 days are like that.  This, on the other hand, is scaring me.  I started a FirstCleanse detox to work out some skin issues I've had for a long time.  I'm on day two, and since I've started it I've felt incredibly depressed, imbalanced and irritable.  It scares me because I am losing patience with my children and I am not normally like this with them.  Could it be the toxins in my bloodstream?  We have a pretty healthy diet, with the exeption that I like my red wine and/or home brew at night after the kids are in bed :-P  Please let me know if this sounds familiar to you. 

Thanks.

[naturalmummy]

Before my pregnant and nursing years I used to do 3 weeks cleanses about every 6 months. They absolutely had emotional side affects which the first few times were frightening. I got used to it and usually by week 3 i started to stable out again. I think it is initially your systems being flooded with toxins, plus in my case, with the type of cleanse i did (it was limited whole foods, no dairy, low fat, plus fiber and several herbal supplements which naturally, but i think pretty agressively, detoxed), the lack of certain foods caused low energy, mood swings, etc. Not sure what your food intake is, but if it is reduced or limited this can certainly have an emotional effect. I've also read about different elimination diets on the allergy forum and have learned that those can come with an emotional tax.

Hence why i have paused cleansing until i'm done with my pg and nursing years.

Happy cleansing! I do remember how great it feels afterwards!

[smithereens]

Oh I can't tell you how comforting it is to hear that.  I was about to check myself into a home or something, lol.  The majority of what I eat to begin with is organic, but I have mostly cut out cow's milk and excess carbs, too.  oh, and mostly sugar, though last night i just HAD to have a lollipop because i was sobbing uncontrollaby.  seriously.  so yeah, i'm doing mostly organic, low sugar, low dairy, plus the herbal cleanse, extra fiber in the form of (mostly) ground flax and the fiber that comes with the detox kit.  I feel sluggish, and like my head is in a fog.  and i can't stand the sound of my kids whining!  i hope this passes.  thanks for your input.

[3TsMom]

Thank you for posting this, I'm about to start my first cleanse and I was worried about the emotional aspect.  Now I can adequately warm my husband and start it when I don't have to be nice to people at work ;)