How many out there suffering with the same? This is the case study of a patient diagnosed with schizo-affective

[Brubru]

Schizo-affective disorder, judged hypochondriac finally diagnosed as having thyroid issues. If she had been diagnosed straight away with thyroid issues at 17, instead of being sent to a psychiatric hospital, would her life have been different? I bet the answer is yes. 

[Brubru]

Sorry for some reason the picture does not get in the right position. The book is The case study guide to cognitive behaviour therapy of Psychosis. Edited by David kingdon and Douglas turkington

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry and in the past we have some members diagnosed as psychotic and put in mental hospitals. 

At the age of 17 (or any age) when mental conditions are due to the lack of thyroid hormones it is scandalous - no other word. The inability of the medical profession to know clinical symptoms and the reliance upon the TSH only needs to be rectified for what appears to be a very common illness, even more common if diagnosed properly.

Due to non-diagnosis hundreds of people have on their medical records mental health conditions which cannot be removed and which were actually undiagnosed dysfunctions of the thyroid gland. Those we expect to tell us what is wrong it doesn't even cross their minds.

No-one does or thinks that the person in front of them may desperately require hormone replacements.

[Brubru in reply to shaws]

After years on antidepressants, I was luck enough to have an appointment with a psychiatrist who was doing studies on mental hospitals and he diagnosed me with hashimotos and under active thyroid. Still took me years to be properly treated. At my best now.  

[Butterfly65 in reply to Brubru]

Hello Brubru     The problem is that once you've been diagnosed with any type of depressive disorder whenever you see a GP for anything else they always seem to revert back to the the D word. I saw a psychiatrist a few years ago who had absolutely no answers but to prescribe me with a different antidepressant & a higher dosage. I told him how I'd felt over the years, really opened up to him and I asked him if he'd ever considered that it was not the depression that was causing my physical symptoms but the physical symptoms causing my depression. He shrugged his shoulders & said there seemed to be no evidence of any underlying condition & at this time it was all he could offer me. 

[Brubru in reply to Butterfly65]

The vast majority of psychiatrists would act like that. I was luck enough to find the one who said I had thyroid issues. And yes I agree with you GP and even endo resort to AD yet. Endo even challenged psychiatrist, but fortunately since NDT and now on T3 only, I'm doing so well that I might prove the psychiatrist right :-). 

[Josiesmum]

More on this topic:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Josiesmum]

My daughter was diagnosed as mentally ill by a psychiatrist (clinical depression). Her thyroid tests were normalish, just very low cortisol. Since following advice on this group and going on an anti-inflammatory diet and supplement regime she is no longer depressed. This leads me to think a lot of mental illness could actually be caused by gut problems/food sensitivities, although still trying to get to the bottom of what causes those.

[Brubru in reply to Josiesmum]

Josiesmum, I'm almost starting to believe that there is no such thing as mental disease per se, all start somewhere and/or have root causes in the physical body. Thyroid, gut, food allergies, sexual hormones, hormones in general. In my case I can feel how it all affects my mental functioning and I see more and more of this. 

[Josiesmum in reply to Brubru]

I agree. I think depression is a symptom and not a disease.

[Pastille in reply to Brubru]

me too!!  I start off with the general symptoms of hypo, then the depression sets in after extreme tiredness then the paranoia which I am pretty sure would turn into psychosis if left under medicated. I have got to read the signs pretty well now, it's a strange experience, always bloated at this point too. Scary!!

[linlow in reply to Josiesmum]

there is a definite connection between the gut and mental health medscape.com/viewarticle/83... .  Simply adopting a healthy diet can reverse symptoms for some but others may need a far more proactive approach to get to the root of the problem.

[silverfox7]

I came across an article written in the late 1890's I think of a doctor who wondered about patients in a lunatic asylum. He got permission to test them for thyroid and to cut a long story short only one of about 70 was actually defined as lunatic. Can't Denver the exact figures but the rest went out with what was called extract then but we know as NDT but it was the recognised treatment for hypothyroidism. A few were later readmitted, 3 I think. They had TV's relative who could make sure they took their medicines and were so badly affected they couldn't be trusted to do it themselves. Many went home and were fine but a few needed keeping an eye on as they had become institutionalised but I thought it certainly made a point. 

[Beverleyb]

Not Thyroid related but my Daughter had to see a psychiatrist for pre menstrual problems, he has diagnosed her with bi polar. In my opinion she isn't bipolar just sensitive to progesterone.

[Josiesmum in reply to Beverleyb]

I would really recommend trying an anti-inflammatory diet, it has made a dramatic difference to my daughter's mental health.

[Beverleyb in reply to Josiesmum]

Thank you josiesmum, I will look into it.

[Brubru in reply to Beverleyb]

I can totally relate to your daughter Berveleyb. If you see my previous posts, my monthly cycle affects me badly. Send her my support and virtual hug. 

[Beverleyb in reply to Brubru]

Thank you Brubru, at 35 she had a hysterectomy, no children, she chose that option herself as she had no life for 10 years, the psychiatrist has been more helpful since her hysterectomy than he was while she was suffering every 2 weeks of a month.  It took years to find out she was sensitive to her own progesterone never mind the added amounts she was getting.   I had a hysterectomy for the same reason at 42, then I became hypothyroid, fortunately my daughter doesn't show signs, I am so relieved she doesn't.      She is back to full health now, apart from trying to come to terms she wont be having children.  I will have a look at your previous posts. Best wishes Bev.

[Brubru in reply to Beverleyb]

She's so lucky to have you Berveleyb I was offered a hysterectomy but due to my thyroid issues I have problems in healing scars. A simple cyst removal some years ago took 6 months to completely close, so I refused the surgery but still have awful PMS and heavy periods 

[Beverleyb in reply to Brubru]

That's awful Brubru, 6 months to heal, I can understand why you refused a hysterectomy. 

I wish you well and hope you can find some relief.

Best wishes Bev.

[Brubru in reply to Beverleyb]

Thank you Bev same to you and your daughter xx

[Butterfly65]

It's bad enough in our era, antidepressants being dished out like sweets & suicide rates climbing but can you imagine what it must have been like for all those suffering with undiagnosed  illnesses years ago & being chucked into a mental asylum & left to suffer, wither away & die.

[Beverleyb in reply to Butterfly65]

It must have been horrific Butterfly65. 

[linlow]

I'm not sure now if it was this post that led me to the following link or not but it seemed pertinent to tag it here since it mentions bipolar nahypothyroidism.org/thyroi...