Dry/chapped lips - can that be a sign of anxiety & depression?

Blake · Post by **Blake** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:51 am

Hey guys.

Hope everyone is doing well.. I haven't posted in a long time. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing a setback and I think that might be the cause of the persistent dry lips. They seem to be dehydrated and somewhat chapped. I have been using vasoline and regular chapstick but they don't seem to be getting better. Also, my mouth is dry too. The dry lips has been persistent for nearly 2 weeks.

I just had some blood work done to check my allergies and I have no food allergies. Just allergic to grass and dust mites.

The last few weeks have been terrible for me for a few reasons... I didn't get this career opportunity that I really wanted so I'm stuck with my current job a little bit more which is draining me emotionally. I am still dealing with getting over a long-term relationship that ended back in July. Also, the season change (with it getting dark earlier) really has affected me.
It's like everything happened at once! I have been very depressed and seem to become literally exhausted by 5pm. I used to work out at the gym 3-5 days a week and now I am too exhausted to walk next door to the gym.

My concern is that my lips are going to stay this dehydrated and dry or possibly that I have something seriously wrong with me.

I just started listening to session 1 & 2 of the program again, and been journaling.

Thank you!!

John

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:13 am

Dry lips is just that, dry lips. Eveything is not from anxiety or depression.

You'll be alright.

Im sorry about the breakup, the missed promotion, and the increased anxiety.

You have to keep in mind that you're fine, and that anxiety causes irrational concerns.

You have to turn those negative thoughts to positive ones. You'll feel much better, and see things much clearer if you do.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:35 am

dry lips are not your anxiety....although it can be annoying its not serious. Maybe your breathing through your mouth a little more if your allergies are acting up and your nose is a bit congested and that can dry your lips out. I would say get yourself some chapstick and slather it on whenever you get the chance and drink water that will help to keep you hydrated....but dont worry.

Your fine and this is just an annoying thing not serious.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:13 am

They are dry and my mouth feels like I have cotton balls in it. I have been drinking a ton of water and even some gatorade this afternoon.

I am going through an anxious and depressed period and am hoping that these syptoms are from my nerves and not something else serious.

I have dealt with anxiety and gone through this progam a few times. I am aware of the typical symptoms that comes with the condition. I just never experienced this dehydration before.

Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:52 am

I had an appointment this morning with my primary care doctor. He checked my sugar and that came back normal and we talked about the stressors in my life. He wanted to give me some samples of Lexapro but I asked him to hold off for a good month. I told him about the the program program and the changes that I'm starting to make. I want to see how things go over the new few weeks before I choose to use meds.
I am on Lesson 1 and 2 this week.

As far as the lips are concerned, he feels that my anxiety & depression is playing games with me. He told me to continue using the vasoline and chapstick.

I have had 2 doctors look at my lips and don't seem to be concerned. Also, I have had a allergy test and it came back that I don't have any food allergies and my sugar is normal.

Thank you!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:41 am

Blake,

You are correct - dry mouth can result from stress and anxiety.

If you go to this website, you can look at a complete list of symptoms...

http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

I can't say I'm entirely sure WHY this happens, but bodies are capable of doing strange things when consumed with stress and anxiety. Keep working the program and making small changes, you'll get there.

Also, this is helpful, too. http://www.anxietyzone.com/symptoms/dry_mouth.html

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:06 am

Those links mentions DRY MOUTH.
That was one of the symptoms of anxiety.

Dry/chapped LIPS has nothing to do with anxiety or depression. It's just dry lips.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:37 pm

Correct me if I am wrong, but he did mention his mouth feels like it has cotton balls in it. Sounds an awful lot like dry mouth to me. If your mouth is dry, most likely your lips are too. Obviously anxiety isn't going to bring on chapped lips, but it can cause dry mouth as the links explained.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:51 am

Your climate might be really dry, thus the dry lips, fall is a pretty dry season where all the leaves dry and shrivel up.

Also stay away from vaseline and chapstick, or anything with pertroleum in it, it blocks your skin's ability to breathe. Your doctor won't tell you this of course, this is average Westerm medicine here.

If you have a health food store, try getting some lip balm from there with natural oils or beeswax in it, you can also use coconut oil.

Alba is a really good brand. I've seen this at Walmart.

You can also try going cold turkey off lip balm, the stuff is very addicting and actually causes the lips to get dry in response to it.

You also might want to consider using a humidifier in your bedroom at night.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:58 am

Good points Shifrah.

I'm going to use them too. I've had dry lips and skin since going on Acutane for acne as a teen.

Thanks so much!