I posted this on the Thyroid community, and would be interested in your perspectives.
Hi,
My mental health symptoms have been unremittingly present and life affecting over the past year or so (not that they weren't present before-but have increased in intensity from Feb 2023. Every doctor and consultant I have seen have suggested that the issues I am facing are non-Thyroidal, and thereby something else, in most cases, an underlying mental health pathology is to blame. I am autistic, and this has always conditioned my life, but I have just about managed this before 2020. I have also always had Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies, though without obvious compulsions, particularly over health and health contiguous areas. Whether this would be formally recognised as a disorder in my case I don't know, and I have also recently been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The first line would be to take Anti-Depressants and/or CBT, but I have always (perhaps stupidly and dogmatically) been opposed to this idea. In the case of the former, I don't believe in treating the manifestations of a developmental disorder with anti-depressants, I ain't depressed! RE: CBT, I doubt the probable efficacy in my case (there is some interesting evidence that I can't find right now that tentatively proposes that Autistic people do not do as well with CBT in certain circumstances, especially on self report), and I am entirely aware of the irrationality of my anxieties and maladaptive coping strategies, but the whole reason I use maladaptive ones is that the best ways of dealing with stress are things I can't do! But the other big reason I am sceptical about these mental health treatments is because it is only since my Hypothyroid diagnosis that my mental health symptoms have become persistently unmanagable, and significantly changed in character. And I feel that until this is fully appreciated, one is bound to fail in treatment. The problem is, I don't know where to go. I have tried a whole gamut of T4 doses, with differences for a bit, but no real difference. Presently. I have high conversion, which has led my (excellent and well regarded endocrinology Prof) endocrinologist to say that I don't need T3. I would like to trial it, but they are reluctant since I don't fit the typical patient profile who would benefit it. I may go to a Rhumetologist,but my experience of a neurologist was basically someone who wasn't interested in my symptoms because I didn't fit a pattern of obvious disease, so was written off. From my preliminary research, there isn't an obvious disease pattern. I do have a rash over my face that resembles a Lupus rash, but have been told that it categorically isn't a lupus rash by my GP. So I get a bit worried I'll be fobbed off again.
Written by
ErraticAspie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Health, generally. A fear of chronic pain caused by my own abnormal bodily movements, including, but not exclusively, walking, eye movements, swallowing, mouth movements, breathing etc. Food, which impacts diet, due to Autism and sensory processing problems (I take vitamins to compensate-trying to improve this but very difficult). This stuff massively impacts on me, makes things as simple as sitting at a desk a worrisome activity (all this started in 2023). Light, even at one stage the fear of looking at the sun. Apart from some anxiety on accidentally hurting myself and diet, none of this remotely impacted on my life until June 2020, when I noticed tingling in my feet (the first sign of what would become Hypothyroid diagnosis).
Mind: Massive decline (went from reading 80-100 serious academic books per year to barely being able to read 1). Massive memory issues, problems finding words. Complete lack of mental sharpness. Massively irritable, to the point of making relationships with my family more difficult.
General systemic:
Muscle issues, periodic twitching (esp on higher doses) occasional nausea and headaches (on high doses), palpitations (on higher doses). Weight gain (last time I checked 10 stone 6) having been 9 stone at diagnosis, at 9 stone 6 to 9 stone 8 more generally. This has come despite going on a 30 to 40 minute walk most days, which I hadn't been doing between 2021-2022). Tingling and numbness, gum inflammation (may be irrelevant and simlpy related to plaque build up, but my dentist noticed oddness). Earwax build up. Tiredness, and sleeping 9-10 hours if not interrupted.
Hi. I too have hypothyroidism, and I also have some mental health issues. Years ago, in my teens, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with pretty severe OCD. My diagnoses have varied over time, but I can tell you that a person can be diagnosed with OCD even in the absence of clear compulsions. I myself had both obsessions and compulsions, but OCD can present differently with different people. There is something often referred to as "pure obsessional" where there are few if any obvious compulsions. Instead the person deals only with obsessions, but it's still OCD.
I don't know if there's any actual connection between thyroid issues and something like OCD, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me. Thyroid problems may not cause OCD (my thyroid was fine back then) but our minds and pur bodies are so inextricably linked, it's hard to believe that a problem with one can't trigger problems in the other.
It sounds like you're seeing a therapist for your issues like GAD. (I think we share that diagnosis too!) Have they offered any thoughts about a possible association between hypothyroidism and symptoms of OCD? And while antidepressants may not be useful in autism, they can actually be very helpful with OCD. I myself take 40 mg/day of Fluoxetine (generic Prozac). I do take it mostly for depression, but it can also be helpful in treating OCD. It's been kind of a lifesaver for me!
OCD involves obsessions and compulsions by definition. Mental compulsions aren’t as easily recognized. Any compulsion, whether physical or mental, is done to negate the distress from the obsessions. Some examples can include self-reassurance, using logic, rumination, mentally reviewing, mentally checking, distraction, thought replacement, thought suppression, avoidance, etc. There are more but these are some of the common ones. These things by themselves are not compulsions but when they are done to negate the distress from the obsession, they can be.
You gave amazing explanation of pure OCD 👏🏻! Sometimes I’m thankful that I don’t have visible compulsions but that makes it even harder for people around me to believe I have mental disorder
Hi there. I have OCD and Hashimoto's. I hope the info I will share with you will give you more clear view of your issues and will guide you in a better direction. Although I strongly believe there is a huge correlation between hormones and OCD unfortunately one is not the causation for the other. I was complete sure that my hypothyroidism causes my OCD symptoms that I spent years researching and experimenting with myself. Bottomline is although OCD symptoms will get worse if T3, T4 and TSH (especially) are off, being in perfect thyroid range will not cure your OCD.
T3 is not for everyone, specially if you suffer from anxiety. I tried adding it to my T4 and it was hell. My anxiety was to the roof. I couldn't function, it was nightmare. You must have all the other accompaning symptoms of hypothyroidism to be put on T3 and again I don't think you will see any OCD symptoms improvement.
As for the antidepressants, don't be fulled by their name. They treat much more than depressed people. For lots of us, they are life savers. And although they don't cure they make life livable and give you possibility to teach your brain how not to react to intrusive thought. Antidepressants stop the region of your brain responsible for OCD and that's how your brain learns new ways to cope with intrusive thoughts. Read about neuroplasticity. Read the book "Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts".
I honestly feel like you are stuck in your own believes instead of exploring every single possibility to get better. I'm sorry if I'm being too honest, I just try to help
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Need some quick advice
Just joined this community, I'm happy to find a place like this.
Potential genital herpes infection OCD
Is it true or not true?
My OCD is sabotaging my attempts to treat my anxiety and depression.
