Unusual Thyroid Symptoms: How Thyroid Disorders Impact the Mind

In recent years, thyroid disorders have begin to receive a great deal of media attention. The mystery behind rising thyroid cancer rates has garnered a lot of press coverage, while the revelation of talk show host’s Oprah Winfrey’s thyroid issues sparked a spike in interest.

As a result of this media coverage, most of the common symptoms of thyroid disorders are now much more widely recognized than they were in the past. According to a number of thyroid health advocacy groups, public awareness of many thyroid disorders – especially hypothyroidism – is at an all-time high.

Today, the lethargy, depression, fogginess, and weight gain that millions of people – especially women – have long suffered in silence are now recognized as stemming from underactive thyroids. New advances in thyroid medication mean that even cases that once would have gone diagnosed and untreated are being addressed.

However, while significant advances have been made in increasing awareness of common thyroid symptoms, there’s just one problem – not every thyroid disorder has the same type of symptoms. While the common signs of hypothyroidism point the way to a large number of cases, some patients experience a different set of symptoms altogether – symptoms that manifest themselves not as physical problems, but as mental and emotional problems.

This week, we’ll take a look at some of the lesser-known symptoms of thyroid disorders that involve mental, emotional, psychological, and cognitive disturbances. Though less common than the physical signs of thyroid disorders, these mental and emotional symptoms are equally, if not more, debilitating to the patients who experience them.

Mental and Emotional Signs of Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland is behind the common condition known as hypothyroidism.  Women are particularly vulnerable to this condition. In the majority of cases, the onset of hypothyroidism is marked by an increase in feelings of fatigue and lethargy, weight gain, a lack of motivation, and depression.

In some cases, hypothyroidism often develops very slowly, and it can be difficult to detect during the early stages. For some patients, emotional and mental changes are the first signs that something may be amiss. However, because of the sometimes-slow development of the disorder, patients may not attribute the mental and emotional changes to a physical disease. Instead, they may assume that these feelings are psychological and situational in nature.

In fact, medical practitioners often have the same difficulty distinguishing between mental and emotional distress that is caused by a patient’s personality, life experiences, and temperament and that which has its origins in a physical illness.

The two often feed off one another, as the experience of having an undiagnosed and untreated illness can spark genuine feelings of hopelessness and despair. Still, inexplicable or substantial changes in your emotional state could have a physical cause, and should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

Common mental and emotional symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

• A feeling of mental fogginess and slowed thinking
• Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
• Difficulty with short- and long-term memory
• A decline in analytical ability and comprehension
• Hopelessness and depression
• Paranoid thought patterns
• In severe cases, confusion and disorientation

Mental and Emotional Signs of Hyperthyroidism

The condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland is known as hyperthyroidism. The disease is much rarer than hypothyroidism, and typically, its symptoms are easier to detect.

An overactive thyroid gland speeds up many of the body’s normal functions, so patients with hyperthyroidism often experience symptoms such as a racing heart rate, rapid breathing, and restlessness.

The same patterns that underlie the physical signs of hyperthyroidism also cause the disorder’s mental and cognitive symptoms. In essence, hyperthyroid patients often find themselves on an emotional roller coaster that speeds rapidly through different frames of mind. If you or a loved one has observed any of the following symptoms, please bring them to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible.

Common mental and emotional symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:

• Severe anxiety, stress, and tension
• Rapid mood swings
• Irritability
• Marked impatience
• Hyperactivity and restlessness
• Periods of fluctuating anxiety and depression

Although the mental and emotional symptoms of thyroid disorders can be distressing, the good news is that they tend to disappear quickly when the underlying endocrine imbalance is properly treated. Talk to your physician for a personalized assessment of any unusual emotional symptoms you’ve experienced.