When I was in hospital I remember that my psychiatrist has ordered me to do a thyroid screening. But the results of the test got lost in the process between two hospitals and I never got it. Well…our health system is just amazing. Anyways, the link between the thyroid disorders and mental health - depression are confirmed and well researched. I dont think i have thyroid disorder btw since I don’t meet other common symptoms…but I think it isn’t bad to know about this stuff and symptoms overlapping. I took this long text from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada site but you can find other scientific resources as well.
Thyroid Dysfunction and Mental Disorders
The relationship between psychiatry and thyroid dysfunction has attracted a good deal of attention for the following reasons:
Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, can be accompanied by prominent mental abnormalities.
Thyroid hormones have been used in the treatment of certain psychiatric conditions.
Some drugs used for the treatment of mental illness can have an effect on the thyroid gland.
Mental Abnormalities and Thyroid Disorders
Hyperthyroidism
Attention has been directed to the possible role of stress or emotional disturbance in precipitating hyperthyroidism. Although hyperthyroidism may follow some emotional upheaval or stressful event, the possibility exists that the emotional upheaval prior to the illness may have been the by-product of the early phase of thyroid hyperactivity itself before the complete picture of the illness becomes manifested. Similarly, the psychological constitution of those who develop the illness has been extensively studied, but with no good consensus between various personality descriptions given. I believe the role of personality factors has been overemphasized. Psychological disturbances are quite common with thyroid hyperactivity and can be part of the early picture:
√marked anxiety and tension
√emotional lability
irritability and impatience
√distractible overactivity
√exaggerated sensitivity to noise
√fluctuating depression
More serious mental disturbances which used to accompany “thyroid crisis”, such as acute psychotic episodes, delirium and fever are rarely seen these days as a result of the improved detection of the illness and availability of effective treatment.
In general, the psychological disturbances show satisfactory resolution with adequate treatment of the thyroid hyperactivity.
Hypothyroidism
Since hypothyroidism usually develops slowly, and the early complaints are frequently minor, vague and diffuse in nature, it is not surprising that the diagnosis is often overlooked. However, the physical changes that accompany the illness are characteristic: dry, rough skin; pale and puffy complexion; loss of hair; change in voice; decreased appetite…
Psychological symptoms are common and well manifested by the time the patient seeks medical advice. Not infrequently, psychological disturbances are the main complaints that bring hypothyroid patients to the psychiatrist first:
√marked slowing of all mental processes
√progressive loss of initiative and interest
memory difficulties
√thinking is easily muddled
√general intellectual deterioration
√depression with paranoid flavour
In severe, untreated cases, dementia may be the ultimate outcome. This underscores the importance of early detection and treatment.
