When your thyroid overproduces hormones, it’s called hyperthyroidism. It’s a condition that can affect both your physical and mental health.
Hyperthyroidism is associated with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. Many people find that their mental health improves when hyperthyroidism is well managed.
You may need to work with doctors and other specialists to manage hyperthyroidism. But it may also help to connect with a therapist and/or psychiatric provider for added support.
Everyone has a thyroid. It’s a small gland located at the front of your neck that produces hormones that control how your body uses energy. Your body relies on your thyroid gland to maintain its functioning. So if the thyroid doesn’t make and release the right amount of hormones, it can lead to health problems.
Having an overactive thyroid is referred to as hyperthyroidism. It often causes weakness, fatigue, sleep problems, weight loss, irregular heartbeat, and other health challenges. But hyperthyroidism can affect your mental health too.
For example, many people with overactive thyroids experience anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Learning more about this overlap can help you seek well-rounded care for your mental and physical health.
Ways hyperthyroidism can affect your mind and mood
When your thyroid produces too many hormones, your brain and body can’t function properly. This can lead to:
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Mood swings
Imbalanced hormones can lead to mood swings and make it harder to regulate your emotions. For people with hypothyroidism, this can manifest as irritability, anger, or agitation.
Sleep disturbance
It can be difficult to relax when your mind and body are flooded with hormones due to an overactive thyroid. One study found that over 64% of people with Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, experienced sleep disturbance.
Weight changes
Your thyroid gland plays a key role in managing how your body uses energy. When it becomes overactive, it can send your metabolism into high gear. This can lead to unintentional weight loss, which, in turn, can increase emotional distress.
Anxiety
Thyroid issues and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur because they’re both tied to hormonal imbalances. In fact, in the U.S., approximately 17.5 million people have both a thyroid condition and an anxiety disorder.
Many thyroid symptoms mirror mental health symptoms — especially anxiety. To avoid misdiagnosis, be sure to get a thorough evaluation.
Depression
Although less prevalent than anxiety, depression also affects many people with hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid can cause your mind and body to go into overdrive, moving and processing too quickly. Over time, this can result in exhaustion, a loss of motivation, low mood, and other symptoms of depression.
Psychosis
When your brain doesn’t have the right balance of hormones, it can’t function properly. In severe cases, when your thyroid releases way too many hormones into your bloodstream, it can lead to psychosis. This means you might experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) or delusions (having objectively false beliefs).
Cognitive impairment
Imbalanced hormones can lead to trouble with focus, concentration, and memory. More commonly known as “brain fog,” this is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD and hypothyroidism can both cause hyperactivity, restlessness, irritability, and other shared symptoms. It’s possible that these conditions can co-occur and impact one another. However, we don’t yet know if hypothyroidism can cause ADHD (or vice versa).
Bipolar disorder
Research shows a significant overlap between people who have bipolar disorder and hyperthyroidism (10% to 30%). Part of this shared risk may be genetic.
But elevated hormone levels have been observed in people with bipolar disorder — especially during manic episodes. These are periods of elevated energy, talkativeness, and euphoric mood that occur in people with bipolar disorder.
Suicidal thoughts
Having an overactive thyroid doesn’t automatically put you at risk of suicidal thoughts. In fact, experts who study the link between these experiences say that there’s only a weak association.
However, living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions while also managing a chronic physical health condition can be incredibly stressful. So if you have a thyroid condition and are also experiencing mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to ask for help.*
*A note on safety: If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, you can contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 from any phone. The counselors there will provide confidential support and resources to help keep you safe.
How mental and thyroid health are related
Whether you have an overactive or underactive thyroid, any imbalance can impact your mental health. While this experience can vary from person to person, some common reasons why this happens include:
Biology: Your thyroid is an important part of your mind and body’s control system. It affects everything from how your organs function to how well you can regulate your emotions. Having an excess of thyroid hormones can lead to many of the mental health conditions and symptoms discussed above.
Stress: Being diagnosed with a thyroid problem can be stressful. You might wonder what the future holds and how you’ll manage your health. This experience can take a toll on your mental health, which, in turn, can make it harder to take care of your physical well-being.
Medication: In some cases, thyroid medication can affect your mental health. While thyroid levels become stabilized, you may experience fatigue or lack of energy.
Caring for hyperthyroidism and mental health together
If you have hyperthyroidism and a mental health condition, know that the outlook is positive. Many people find that when they treat their hyperthyroidism, their mental and emotional well-being also improves. This usually means working with a team of doctors and other specialists who can collaborate to support you.
But you may also benefit from:
Therapy: Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, restlessness, mood swings, or other symptoms of hyperthyroidism, therapy can provide a safe space to process your experiences and learn healthy coping skills.
Psychiatric care: Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can help you manage your mental health. They can prescribe and monitor psychiatric medication that’s safe for people with thyroid conditions.
Mindfulness: Unmanaged stress can make it harder to maintain your mental and physical health. But a mindfulness practice can help you feel calm, present, and focused on your well-being. You can do this with activities like yoga, mindfulness, and deep breathing.
Self-care: Taking good care of your body can have a positive effect on your mental health. So try to eat a balanced diet, get restful sleep, make time for movement, and follow your doctor’s guidance for managing your hyperthyroidism.
The most important thing a patient can do when managing both hyperthyroidism and mental health symptoms is take their prescribed medications. It’s also important to regularly follow up with your doctor to monitor your labs.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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The thyroid is a small gland that produces hormones that control how your body uses energy. When it overproduces hormones, it’s called hyperthyroidism, and it can impact your physical and mental health.
Hyperthyroidism can lead to symptoms like restlessness, irritability, anxiety, unintended weight loss, and more. A therapist can help you process your experiences and learn valuable coping strategies. And, if needed, a psychiatric provider can prescribe medication that can help you manage your symptoms.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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