Three Medical Conditions That Can Mimic Anxiety

"Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders and can be debilitating. However, sometimes, anxiety is not psychiatric, but a clue to an underlying medical condition. Which medical conditions might mimic anxiety or cause anxiety, and why? Here are a few examples:"

"Hyperthyroidism is a state of excess thyroid hormones. In hyperthyroidism, an increased rate of metabolism leads to the speeding up of various bodily functions. Racing heart, frequent bowel movements, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, and tremors or shaking are among the manifestations. It is important to detect hyperthyroidism, especially because cardiac, osteoporotic, and other complications can occur if it remains untreated for prolonged periods of time."

"Anxiety can be an early effect of hypoglycemia or low blood glucose. 1 Hypoglycemia can occur in people who have diabetes as well as in people who don't have diabetes. Given that hypoglycemia can be life-threatening, the body perceives it as a threat, triggering adrenaline and cortisol release; this can lead to symptoms that can feel similar to anxiety, such as shakiness, panic, sweating, and a racing heart. 2,3 When hypoglycemia occurs repeatedly or is severe, it could lead to brain changes 4,5 and cognitive decline. 6"

"Pheochromocytoma is a rare condition, caused by an often treatable, usually benign, tumor of the adrenal glands, which leads to excess adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body. It can result in high blood pressure, sweating, headaches, fast heartbeat, shakiness, and weight loss─all symptoms that can mimic anxiety and panic attacks. 7 Like other rare diseases, it can escape detection, especially because the likelihood of occurrence is low."

Anxiety disorders are common and can be debilitating, but anxiety-like symptoms can also come from medical conditions. Hyperthyroidism can cause a faster metabolism that produces racing heart, frequent bowel movements, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, and tremors. Detecting hyperthyroidism matters because untreated disease can lead to cardiac and osteoporotic complications. Hypoglycemia can trigger adrenaline and cortisol release, producing shakiness, panic-like feelings, sweating, and a racing heart; it can occur in people with or without diabetes and can be life-threatening. Repeated or severe hypoglycemia can contribute to brain changes and cognitive decline. Pheochromocytoma can cause excess adrenaline and noradrenaline, leading to high blood pressure, sweating, headaches, fast heartbeat, shakiness, and weight loss that can resemble anxiety or panic attacks.

Read at Psychology Today