Does Thyroid disease make you have anxiety? (+7 Management methods)
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This detailed article will be explaining if Thyroid disease makes you have anxiety and the symptoms associated with it. We will also be checking out the treatments that are available for anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid.
Does Thyroid disease make you have anxiety?
Yes, Thyroid disease can make you have anxiety. An increase in the levels of thyroid hormones and a decrease in the levels of thyroid hormones can both lead to symptoms of anxiety and sometimes even depression.
In the case of hyperthyroidism, the high levels of thyroid hormones can lead the body to increase its metabolic processes. This means that the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated to go into ‘fight or flight’ at all times, which leads to feelings of anxiety.
In the case of hypothyroidism, the metabolic processes in the body may be slowed down, but this can create an imbalance in terms of neurotransmitters. Because of this imbalance, hypothyroidism can lead to depression along with anxiety.
Anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease
In terms of thyroid disease, the symptoms of anxiety may be different from those caused by purely psychological reasons. The different anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease have been discussed in the following section.
- Increased heart rate: The most common anxiety symptom that is caused by thyroid disease is an increased heart rate. Even in the absence of trigger factors, the person may feel that their heart is beating too fast.
In many cases, chest pain may also accompany the increased heart rate. As a result, the person may think that they are having a heart attack or some other cardiac condition. Along with the increased heart rate, the breathing rate of the person may also increase.
- Constant frustration and irritability: The person may also experience constant frustration and irritability. They may find it hard to sit in a place for a long time and their restlessness can be demonstrated through physical actions like leg-shaking.
They may also get easily angry at others and may shout and yell. In turn, these symptoms may strain their relationships at home and in the workplace, which can further lead to more stress and anxiety.
- Changes in eating patterns: There may also be changes in their eating patterns caused by the imbalance of the thyroid hormone levels in their body. In many instances of thyroid disease, the person may start eating more than usual.
The changes in eating patterns can also sometimes lead to an eating disorder in the person. For instance, after binge-eating or over-eating, they may take part in purging or cleansing rituals to try to prevent weight-gain.
In some cases, the person may lose their appetite, and as a result, they may stay away from food for long periods of time. Their portions may become smaller and they might not like foods that they preferred to eat before.
- Weight gain/ weight loss: Sudden weight gain or weight loss can be an anxiety symptom caused by thyroid disease. This is not only affected by the changes in eating patterns that a person goes through, but also because of the metabolism changes.
- Inability to concentrate on a task: Thyroid hormones also play an important role in cognitive processes. As a result, in the case of a problem with the thyroid, the person may experience difficulties in concentration.
This is particularly in the case of hyperthyroidism where the high levels of metabolism cloud cognitive abilities. On the other hand, in hypothyroidism, the imbalance in neurotransmitters can set off a similar reaction.
- Tremors in the limbs: An imbalance of thyroid hormones in the body can also lead to tremors in the limbs. Since tremors can be easily seen from the outside, this leads to even more anxiety in the person.
- Poor sleep quality: Another main anxiety symptom caused by thyroid hormones is poor sleep quality. The person may experience a lack of sleep due to the high metabolism rates caused by hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can also lead to sleeplessness in the person, but in some cases may lead to too much sleep in the person. Despite them over-sleeping or under-sleeping, they may experience constant fatigue throughout the day.
How to treat anxiety caused by thyroid disease?
Anxiety, particularly if it has been caused by thyroid disease, is treatable and even curable. In this section of the post, we have discussed the different treatment options which are available for the management of anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease.
Continuing treatment of thyroid disease
The most important treatment factor to consider when you are dealing with thyroid disease and are experiencing anxiety is the medical treatment for the hormonal imbalance. It can seem difficult to take a daily dose of medication in the long run, but this is necessary.
When you are consulting a doctor, make sure that they are well-versed in thyroid disease and are endocrine specialists. You can also seek a doctor who has worked with patients who have experienced anxiety as a result of thyroid disease.
Seeking psychological treatment
If the anxiety symptoms are not going away even after you start taking medical treatment for your thyroid disease, you can seek psychological treatment as well. Depending on your symptoms and their intensity, your mental health professional may prescribe different treatments.
In some cases, your psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressants if your anxiety symptoms are interfering with your daily activities. In other cases, they may also recommend therapy sessions where you can learn coping strategies and practice healthy venting.
Getting support from others
Being diagnosed with a thyroid condition is not an easy thing to accept and it can surely help if you get support from others like family and friends. By creating a support group around you, you will be better equipped to deal with the anxiety symptoms of your thyroid disease.
Getting regular physical exercise
Getting regular physical exercise can also help in reducing the anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease. Exercise not only balances the metabolic processes of the body but also releases happy neurotransmitters which can help in the treatment of thyroid disease.
Practicing mindfulness everyday
Mindfulness practices can further help in the management of anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease. There are numerous mindfulness exercises that you can choose from, ranging from deep breathing to coloring, all of which can help.
Joining a support group
You can also join a support group to help you deal with the anxiety caused by thyroid disease. In support groups, you can not only find emotional support through these groups, but also improve your knowledge of thyroid disease and find new coping strategies.
Support groups can be found anywhere and even if you are not able to find one at a physically-near location, you can easily find one online. Even forums for thyroid disease can be useful in coping with the anxiety symptoms caused by it.
Getting a support animal
Another way to cope with the anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid disease is to get an emotional support animal. This animal can be a dog, cat, bird or anything that you choose. The presence of these animals can bring you calm and comfort whenever you are experiencing anxiety.
While emotional support animals might not be trained, other service animals are professionally trained to accompany you and give you the right prompts to take care of your anxiety symptoms. They can also remind you to take your thyroid medication every day.
Conclusion
This detailed article has explained if Thyroid disease makes you have anxiety and the symptoms associated with it. We have also checked out the treatments that are available for anxiety symptoms caused by thyroid.
If you like this article, please post your comments and questions in the space below.
Citations
Take Control of Your Anxiety Today: Personalized Counseling with BetterHelp
