The connection between Hashimoto's & mental health
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can have countless effects on the body – and that includes the mind & nervous system. Many people notice that since they developed Hashimoto’s, their mental health declined. And there are both direct and indirect reasons why this occurs.
So if you’ve suspected that Hashimoto’s has played a role in your mental health struggles, let’s look at why.
How does Hashimoto’s affect your mental health?
Hashimoto’s can contribute to many mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety and burnout. It can also exacerbate underlying or previously diagnosed conditions including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
But why is this? Firstly, let’s think about how an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Hashimoto’s can affect your mental wellbeing. The important thing to note here is that there are two mechanisms at play – the thyroid dysfunction itself, and the autoimmune process. Both of these can influence your state of mind.
Hashimoto’s can affect your mental health by:
Slowing down the body’s metabolism – this can leave you feeling fatigued, flat and prone to depression-related symptoms such as sadness, overwhelm and hopelessness
Reducing your stress tolerance – meaning that levels of stress that you could previously cope with become much more overwhelming
Interfering with your sleep – poor quality & insufficient sleep known to have a direct relationship with poor mental wellbeing
Inducing cognitive symptoms – including brain fog, reduced concentration, lower capacity for problem-solving and impaired memory
Disrupting the balance of beneficial brain chemicals – for example, serotonin, dopamine and GABA
Increased inflammation in the body – autoimmune disease goes hand in hand with inflammation, which can directly affect the brain and therefore your mental health
Adding the burden of chronic disease management to your plate – this means more stress overall, reduced stress confidence, feelings of isolation, and of course financial stress related to your health needs!
As you can see, it’s no wonder why people with Hashimoto’s often experience challenges around their mental wellbeing! In fact, one study found that 60% of people with an underactive thyroid showed symptoms of depression and 63% showed symptoms of anxiety. So if you’re struggling to manage your mental health with Hashimoto’s, you are not alone.
So what can I do to manage my symptoms?
As with any mental health concerns, it’s always best to seek professional help from a qualified mental health practitioner. However, from a Hashimoto’s perspective, there are other steps we can take alongside that support.
Ensure you’re receiving adequate treatment for your thyroid
I can’t tell you how many people I’ve worked with who have not been getting sufficient thyroid replacement to manage their symptoms! That’s why this is always the first thing to focus on.
Many people experience symptoms even when taking thyroid replacement medications. If this is the case for you, you need to identify why you’re still symptomatic, and also look at optimising your conversion of the medication.
Optimise your diet & lifestyle
Medication isn’t the only tool you have for managing your Hashimoto’s. Your diet and lifestyle are just as powerful, and they also help to slow or even halt the underlying disease process.
Need some tips to get you started? I’ve got you covered! Make sure you check out:
Have a plan for flares
Like any autoimmune condition, Hashimoto’s can lead to flare-ups. And unfortunately, this can also flare your mental health issues as well.
That’s why I recommend knowing what is likely to trigger your flares, as well as having a plan in place for when a flare does occur. It won’t stop the mental struggles, but it can ease the symptoms faster if you’re prepared.
Not sure where to start? I share my top tips here.
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.