Thyroid Diease & Anxiety Disorder

Although most people exhibit physical symptoms from an imbalance of thyroid hormones, approximately 2 to 12 percent of patients with thyroid disease experience psychological symptoms first, according to Dr. Richard C. W. Hall at the University of Florida. Anxiety disorder is one of the many possible psychological symptoms of thyroid disease.

Causes

• Thyroid hormones play an important role in the production of proteins in your body that are needed for the proper formation of cells and chemicals. When your body produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, the normal amount of chemicals in your brain may become unbalanced, leading to symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Types

• In patients with hypothyroidism, anxiety disorder usually takes the form of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, while hyperthyroidism is more likely to cause panic anxiety disorders, according to Richard C. W. Hall, M.D.

Symptoms

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms include constant worry, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability and muscle tension or pain. Panic disorders usually cause sudden, intense and irrational fears not related to any immediate cause.

Treatment

• An important part of treating anxiety disorders in patients with thyroid disease is returning thyroid hormones to normal levels using prescription medications. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) can help you deal with your anxiety disorder.

Considerations

• The results of a Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School study in 2002 suggests that doctors should check for thyroid disorders before making a diagnosis of primary anxiety or panic disorders. This is especially true if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism like weight loss and rapid heartbeat or hypothyroidism like fatigue and weight gain.