Graves’ disease can affect your mental health due to changes in hormone levels caused by hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), but there are ways to help you manage.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to overactivation of the thyroid gland, also known as hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that control how the body uses energy, and the overproduction of these hormones can have many different effects on both your physical and mental health.
Changes in hormone levels with Graves’ disease can contribute to mental health problems in several ways. Thyroid hormones are signaling molecules that work throughout the body. If their levels get too high, it can affect the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain or the activity of other hormones that can influence mental health.
Since Graves’ disease is also an autoimmune disorder, it can also cause inflammation, which is known to play a role in depression and anxiety.
As a result, mental health problems are common among people with Graves’ disease. An older 2014 study found that about 10% of people with Graves’ disease experience depression, and about 18% experience anxiety. Graves’ disease can also lead to
- nervousness or irritability
- sleeping problems
- shaky hands
- a rapid or irregular heartbeat
- excessive sweating
Some medications to help manage Graves’ disease can worsen these problems, further contributing to mental health issues.
Learn about some tips for coping with the mental health effects of Graves’ disease.
When living with a chronic condition like Graves’ disease, it can sometimes be difficult to prioritize your mental health needs. But this is an important part of feeling better with your condition, and carving out time for self-care can help with your mental health.
Self-care looks different for everyone. People with Graves’ disease may find it helpful to connect with a local or online support group to talk with others who understand their condition. This can help you release feelings and address anxieties you may have felt you couldn’t talk about with others. It can also be an opportunity to make new friends.
Other self-care tips include:
- indulging in old or new hobbies
- finding time to relax
- keeping a gratitude journal
- practicing mindfulness techniques
Living with a condition like Graves’ disease can be stressful. On top of all the hormonal effects that can lead to mental health challenges, the stresses of living with a chronic condition that affects so many aspects of your health can lead to depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy allows you to talk through your feelings and concerns with a mental health professional. Some therapists and counselors specialize in working with people who have chronic conditions, or even thyroid disorders specifically, and may be able to provide tips for coping with the mental health challenges of living with a chronic condition.
If you are experiencing persistent feelings of anxiety or depression that won’t go away, a mental health professional may be able to help and determine whether additional treatment is necessary to support your mental well-being.
Various medications, such as antidepressants, are available that can help with mental health conditions. Your primary care physician may be able to prescribe some of these medications, or they may refer you to a psychiatrist for additional support.
There are many types of medications available to help with anxiety and depression, and it may take time to find the right one that works for you.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are often used to
Although it’s not yet clear if beta-blockers can help with anxiety in Graves’ disease, they may help with some of the symptoms related to anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, or shakiness.
Since the increased thyroid activity in Graves’ disease can directly contribute to mental health conditions, it’s important to manage your Graves’ disease as well as possible. This may involve the use of medications like methimazole or propylthiouracil, along with radioiodine therapy or surgery in some cases.
Antithyroid treatment can be combined with other forms of mental health care to help support overall well-being in people with Graves’ disease.
Graves’ disease can affect your mental health in several ways, and it’s important to consider talking with your doctor if you have any feelings of sadness, anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness that won’t go away. Your care team can help you determine the best course of action to help you manage these feelings and whether you need additional treatment.
It’s important to note that medications to treat Graves’ disease and anxiety or depression sometimes take time to work. It may take a while to feel relief, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your medications aren’t working. Continue talking with your doctor about your symptoms and concerns so they can determine if you need further treatment or a medication change.
Mental health concerns like anxiety and depression are common among people with Graves’ disease, not only due to the uncertainties of living with a chronic condition but also the underlying disruption of hormone activity in the body.
An effective Graves’ disease care plan addresses all aspects of your well-being, and it’s important to discuss your mental health with your care team if you have concerns.
Various options are available, including medication and nonmedication treatments, to help you manage your condition and find relief from mental health symptoms.