Like other hormones, thyroid hormones can have an effect on your mental health. Treating this condition can help improve symptoms, but specific mental health treatments will likely also be required.
Hyperthyroidism is a common health condition affecting the thyroid gland. It occurs when the gland makes too many thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism, also called an overactive thyroid, can alter metabolism, growth, and even your mental well-being.
You should typically be screened for any mental health conditions or symptoms if you’re diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. When you’re diagnosed with a mental health condition, you’ll often be tested for hyperthyroidism to determine if it’s related.
Mental health conditions and hyperthyroidism can be treated in a variety of ways. Your healthcare team will recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Can hyperthyroidism cause mental health issues?
There is a known link between hyperthyroidism and mental health issues.
Understanding this link is important because you may have symptoms of hyperthyroidism or a mental health condition and not realize they’re related. Therefore, it’s important to seek medical treatment if you experience symptoms related to your thyroid or mental well-being.
Hyperthyroidism is a common disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 100 people in the United States. Females tend to experience hyperthyroidism more than males.
Physical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- weight loss in spite of a greater appetite
- heart palpitations
- tiredness or fatigue
- enlargement of the neck
- trouble sleeping
- muscle weakness or tremors
- changes to the eyes
- overheating
- greater-than-normal bowel movements
Hyperthyroidism can also affect your mood, which could be a sign of a mental health condition. You may experience:
Mental health conditions associated with hyperthyroidism include:
These mental health conditions may occur because thyroid hormones create changes in the transmission of neurons, metabolism of the brain, and functioning of the blood-brain barrier.
These changes may affect your mental well-being in addition to causing physical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
A 2021 study examining 150 people — 75 with hyperthyroidism and 75 with normal thyroid production — compared the groups for mental health conditions. The researchers found that 60% of people with hyperthyroidism had psychiatric conditions versus 34.7% of people without a thyroid condition.
A study in 2019 examining youth ages 10 to 18 found an association between hyperthyroidism and several mental health conditions, including ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
What does a thyroid storm feel like?
A thyroid storm occurs when your body contains a dangerous level of thyroid hormones. It’s a rare condition that requires immediate medical attention because it can lead to death.
If you are experiencing a thyroid storm, you may have:
Treatment for a thyroid storm includes addressing the signs and symptoms of the condition and reducing the production of thyroid hormones in the body. If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately for urgent treatment.
A thyroid storm can occur for a number of reasons, such as:
- an infection
- if you’re pregnant
- you experienced damage to your thyroid
- your thyroid medication isn’t working or you’re not using it correctly
Can emotional trauma cause thyroid problems?
Stress can trigger hyperthyroidism signs and symptoms, but it is not a cause of it.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body produces too many thyroid hormones. This can occur because of:
Caring for hyperthyroidism and your mental health together
There are many studies that link hyperthyroidism and mental health disorders, so it’s important that your doctor screen you for both if you have signs and symptoms of either condition. Treating both conditions will improve your quality of life.
Healthcare professionals can suggest a treatment plan for hyperthyroidism that may include:
- oral medications like beta blockers to reduce symptoms and antithyroid therapy to regulate your thyroid
- oral radioactive iodine
- surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid — this could also result in needing to take medication to generate thyroid hormones
Treatment for hyperthyroidism may improve your mental health condition, but you may need additional interventions for your mental well-being .
Treatments for mental health conditions may include:
You should seek a doctor’s and psychiatrist’s diagnosis and treatment plan to ensure you’re treating both your hyperthyroidism and mental health conditions in the best way possible.
Takeaway
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a fairly common condition. This condition has been linked to several mental health conditions.
It’s important to see a doctor if you experience signs or symptoms of either hyperthyroidism or a mental health condition.
A healthcare professional can test you for hyperthyroidism and evaluate you for a mental health condition, then determine a treatment plan that works best for you. Treatments for hyperthyroidism usually include medications and surgery. Treatments for mental health conditions can include medications, therapy, support groups, and lifestyle adjustments, among others.
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