[geez]

I talked to a friend of mine who has issues with her thyroid. At first she thought it was just depression. She had some testing done and found out her thyroid was not functioning properly and the results were symptoms of depression. She is now being treated for her condition and she is improving and the depression is getting much better.

Has anyone had this experience with an illness or condition that presents itself in the form of depression?

[allimsaying]

Im not a doctor or a therapist and I havent had the exact experience but I believe depression is a reaction. If I went without water for two days, I'd be depressed. If a thyroid doesnt receive its nutrients in good balance, it could react in a depressed state. Its a living thing. Many studies have been done on this topic and probably you would find pro and con. Glad to hear the treatment is working.

[tigerlily84]

Your post is rather timely geez because I just went for my physical and it turns out that I might have some thyroid issues. They withdrew more blood for testing and I'll find out soon. But as soon as he said "thyroid" I asked him about depression. (He knows about it) He said it maybe, but we'll have to see the results of the test.

I've wondered the same thing... if thyroid-related depression is the same as chemical imbalance/situational depression. I wish I knew. The way I see it, whether depression is a result of a chemical imbalance, a thyroid issue, situational, etc... there is always a solution. Knowing the cause helps to treat it. But I'm glad your friend is getting the right treatment.

not experienced this... but i can see the reasoning why it could be.

[shortandcute]

Well, in my case, it turned out to actually be depression--but I know that in many cases, what was originally thought of as depression was actually something else. So, yes, it is possible.

[shezbut]

Most doctors are now seeing that the body and mind are inter-related. A lot of physical illnesses are known to cause depression ~ just as a lot of emotional illnesses impact our physical health.

While my example doesn't specifically apply to your Q, you can see my experience:
I had a complex partial seizure at age 20. Went to the ER, but vague tests showed nothing. He wanted me to come back for more expensive tests at a later date, which I couldn't afford. My insurance was horrible!
I began having panic attacks.
Depression kicked in.
Lots of complex partial seizures inter-mixed with panic attacks.
Deeper depression ~ became a prisoner in my house, fearful of being alone. After a few years...
A tonic-clonic seizure sent me to ER, and involved a few expensive tests, finally revealing my illness: temporal lobe epilepsy.

My anxiety and depressive symptoms quickly disappeared as treatment for my seizure disorder began. I have learned since, however, that I am very vulnerable to major depression. It doesn't take much to send me spiraling downward. I believe that both medical and emotional illnesses become rather complex when one is actively dealing with both.

[NoCake]

Things like this is why you should get checked up every year. I never feel like going though...