Health, and how we view it, has evolved for many years. Researchers have transitioned from viewing mental health as entirely different from physical health to seeing a connection between them (this might not be true for everybody). One of the health concerns that categorically affects emotional well-being is -thyroid dysfunctions.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped organ in the front of the neck responsible for metabolism, digestion, brain development and activity, bone development, heart, and muscle development. The thyroid gland produces the necessary hormones to maintain proper metabolism.
About 42 million (4.2 crores) Indians are said to be affected by thyroid-related dysfunction as per a newspaper report in 2022- the number of people could have changed in the last two years.
Thyroid issues can be due to iodine deficiency, inflammation, or certain medications -like radiation therapy or autoimmune (in this case, the immune system can attack the thyroid gland and lead to dysfunction).
Many people might not even be diagnosed adequately due to not showing the telltale signs like- weight gain, skin concerns, or hair fall. There are not-so-obvious signs of thyroid dysfunction, and one of them is mood issues.
What are the different types of Thyroid issues? Do they affect mood?
Some of the common types of thyroid dysfunction include- Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disorder, and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, among others. All these conditions might affect mood in different ways and intensity. For example- Hypothyroidism has been associated with depression and mania; Hyperthyroidism is usually associated with dementia and mania; Graves’ disease is also connected to depression and mania.
A research paper mentioned that many people who have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis experience emotions similar to depression, irritability, and confusion. They may even be mislabeled with depression or bipolar disorder. Not only that, but there will also be some differences in how they show up in different people, too.
Thankfully, thyroid replacement therapy (medications) and nutrition can help a great deal with managing the symptoms of these conditions (and keeping both the symptoms and thyroid hormones in check).
Combining medicines and therapy has helped some people manage their mood and thought patterns. We might develop unhelpful thought patterns when we experience low mood or irritability consistently. Mental health and physical health are two sides of the same coin.
When we go through periods of nervousness or sadness, we might experience them physically, too, in the form of clammy hands or heaviness in our chests. It can be vice versa, too- even having the flu can make us irritable and confused sometimes.
Irregular heartbeat, exhaustion, feeling depressed or anxious are some things that many people experience with thyroid issues, but many people are not told about it. As a therapist myself, my understanding of psychology and my diagnosis of hypothyroidism made me understand my health more holistically.
Advocating for our health
Eckhart Tolle said, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” As a psychologist, I believe self-awareness can be one of the first steps to working toward ourselves however we wish to. In this case, awareness of our health, feelings, and thoughts can help us advocate for ourselves.
Healthcare is constantly developing and expanding- primarily mental health care; advocating for our health in a safe environment can be helpful for us to get the proper intervention. Reading new literature, discussing it openly with doctors or therapists, and finding/creating a community of people with similar experiences can be good ways to advocate for ourselves.
Despite being a small organ, the thyroid gland greatly impacts how fast or slow our metabolism is, affecting our energy levels and organ function.
Because of the way thyroid issues manifest, many people can remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed- this can be true for people who do not show signs like weight gain or similar overt symptoms or only show emotional symptoms like anxiety, irritability, or depressive symptoms.
Situations like these make it all the more important for health professionals to have open conversations with patients/clients, listen to them empathetically, and work collaboratively.
References
1. https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/thyroid-gland/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9938951/
5. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/144639-awareness-is-the-greatest-agent-for-change
6. Image Credit- Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-4098354/
Extra Reading
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/disorders-of-the-thyroid
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC419396/
@Anwesha-Bhattacharya
Hi! I am Anwesha. I am a Counselling Psychologist. I love to write about Psychology and everything related to mental health.
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