Health issues that are often misdiagnosed for mental health problems

We often think anxiety and depression are the results of some mental health issue. It also makes sense because why else would anyone feel anxious or depressed.

But it’s not so. There are a number of health issues that are often misdiagnosed for mental illnesses. Mood disorder is not just a symptom of mental illness but many other health issues. Other problems like lethargy, poor appetite, increased pain and aches in the body, irritability, confusion, difficulty in concentrating are also not just the symptoms of mental health issues but more.

Here we tell you six health issues that are often misdiagnosed as some mental health problems.

Symptoms of thyroid are often mistaken for depression or anxiety. This happens because thyroid can cause havoc with mood, energy and life in general just like depression.

Getting thyroid checked is really easy because it is just one simple blood test.

Many people with Lyme disease are often identified as suffering from depression because the symptoms are similar.

This happens because the size of the tic, the first bite can go unnoticed.

This is a rare condition where excess amount of adrenaline is produced in the body. This adrenaline leads to panic attacks, anxiety and symptoms similar to depression.

Something as common as diabetes can also mimic depression. Symptoms like low mood, irritability and weight loss are common between Type 2 diabetes and depression.

But these changes happen due to insulin resistance and not mental health issues in many cases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterised by extreme fatigue, loss of memory, poor sleep and concentration. So, it is no surprise that the disease is mistaken for depression.

When left untreated, syphilis can lead to infection in the brain and spinal cord affecting your mental well-being, which is called neurosyphilis.

Neurosyphilis can have symptoms like confusion, depression, memory loss and confusion.

Sometimes your symptoms are really a sign of a mental health issue. But in some cases, they could be a result of another physical ailment. Always cross check with a second doctor if you feel things are not right.