When we think about mental health conditions, we often associate them with psychological factors, such as trauma, stress, or genetics. However, what many people overlook is that some mental health conditions could be masking underlying medical issues.

In other words, the symptoms of a medical condition can seem like or amplify the symptoms of a mental health condition. Here are some of the mental health conditions that could be masking underlying medical issues:.

Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that affects millions of people globally. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy levels.

However, what many people don’t realize is that depression can also be a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, anemia, or vitamin D deficiency can cause depression-like symptoms that can be misdiagnosed as depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes excessive fear, worry, and nervousness. Anxiety can be debilitating and can greatly affect a person’s daily life. However, anxiety can also be a symptom of an underlying medical issue.

Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety-like symptoms that can be easily mistaken for anxiety.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to those of other mental health conditions. However, there are also underlying medical issues that can cause bipolar-like symptoms. These conditions include traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.

Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterized by abnormal eating habits that can cause physical and emotional harm.

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder can be triggered by underlying medical conditions. Conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and gastritis can cause digestive problems that lead to disordered eating.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave. Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.

While schizophrenia is often attributed to genetic factors, there are also underlying medical issues that can cause schizophrenia-like symptoms. These conditions include brain tumors, encephalitis, and some types of infections.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors.

While PTSD is typically associated with psychological trauma, there are also underlying medical conditions that can cause PTSD-like symptoms. These conditions include traumatic brain injury and some types of infections.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes intrusive and repetitive thoughts or behaviors. OCD can be very distressing and can greatly impact a person’s quality of life.

While OCD is typically considered a psychological condition, there are also underlying medical conditions that can cause OCD-like symptoms. These conditions include infections, substance abuse, and some types of medications.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect a person’s ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or stay awake. Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome can be caused by underlying medical conditions.

These conditions include chronic pain, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. Sleep disorders can greatly affect a person’s mental health and can lead to anxiety and depression.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a mental health condition that involves the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol despite the negative consequences. Substance abuse can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, or depression.

In some cases, substance abuse can also lead to the development of underlying medical conditions, such as liver disease or lung cancer.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatic symptom disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences persistent physical symptoms that are either distressing or interfering with daily life.

Somatic symptom disorder can be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or irritable bowel syndrome. While the symptoms are real, the cause may be difficult to diagnose, leading to the diagnosis of the condition as somatic symptom disorder.

Conclusion

Mental health conditions can be caused by a variety of factors, including underlying medical conditions. It’s important for healthcare professionals to consider medical issues when diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

By identifying and treating underlying medical conditions, mental health symptoms can often improve or even resolve entirely.