Hyperthyroidism and anxiety - what you need to know
Are you struggling to tame your anxiety? If you have an overactive thyroid, your anxiety may be directly caused by your thyroid condition.
So how can you get your anxiety under control and feel calm again? Let’s take a look at how to approach thyroid-induced anxiety.
Why do you get anxiety with an overactive thyroid?
Anxiety is an incredibly common symptom of hyperthyroidism. From a purely physical perspective, this happens because of the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
This overproduction speeds up the body and stimulates the nervous system. You may experience related symptoms including nervousness, a racing heartbeat, trembling and even rapid breathing and dizziness.
There are also less direct factors that can contribute to anxiety. For example, you might:
Feel worried about managing your condition or stressed over a flare-up
Have had a pre-existing tendency towards anxiety, but your symptoms went unlabelled until your thyroid diagnosis
Be depleted in essential nervous system nutrients due to your hyperthyroid state
How to address hyperthyroid-induced anxiety
Anxiety can be a tricky beast, as it can be caused by physical and mental factors. However, there are some steps you can take that cover both sides of anxiety and minimise your symptoms.
STABILISE YOUR THYROID
If your thyroid hormone levels aren’t where they need to be, this is the most important step to take. Otherwise, the other tips won’t be as effective, because your system is still in overdrive!
Working with an experienced practitioner can help you to optimise your thyroid hormone production and conversion.
EAT FOR NERVOUS SYSTEM NOURISHMENT
The way that we eat and drink can have a massive impact on our nervous system and therefore anxiety. The good news is that are a few tweaks you can make to minimise your chances of anxiety:
Eat regular meals and snacks – many people find 5-6 small meals or 3 meals + 2 snacks keep them feeling steadier and calmer because they don’t get the sudden crash in blood sugar levels
Have protein with every meal and snack – this balances out your blood sugar levels, calming the nervous system
Stay hydrated – even 2% dehydration can impact your cognitive function, which can lead to anxious thoughts
Ditch the coffee, alcohol and processed sugars – these stimulate your nervous system and heighten your anxiety levels
Some nutrients and adaptogenic herbs that can be useful for reducing anxiety caused by thyroid issues, but these are best prescribed by your naturopath.
CALM YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
Put simply, anxiety is when your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight mode. So we want to focus on calming down your nervous system so you can rest (and digest!)
What calms you is unique - so experiment and find the best techniques for your needs. Some of the most effective ways to calm the nervous system include:
Meditation
Relaxation practices
Epsom salt baths
Deep breathing
Drinking a calming herbal tea
Cuddling a loved one or pet
Gentle exercise such as yoga or qi gong
Grounding yourself by walking on the beach or going for a swim in the ocean
WORK WITH A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
Have you always tended towards anxiety, even as a child or teen? If so, it can be a good idea to work with a mental health professional. A qualified counsellor or psychologist can help you to find strategies for coping with your anxiety.
You may also want to consider other supportive modalities out there, such as kinesiology, life coaching or even relaxation massage. Although these won’t eliminate anxiety, they will help you feel calmer and more in control.
GET A GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP
Sleep is when your body gets a chance to heal, and it’s also when the brain flushes out all of the waste from the day. So if you don’t get a good night of sleep, the build-up of waste can affect brain function and leave you prone to anxiety.
Sleep can be a tricky thing to master when you’re dealing with anxiety, particularly when you also have an overactive thyroid! But you can set yourself up for a good night of sleep with these simple tips:
Once the sun goes down, switch the bright overhead lights for lamps or candles
Create a little night-time wind-down routine, so your body knows it’s almost sleep time
Put away your phone or laptop and turn off the TV at least 30 minutes before bed
Keep your bedroom pitch-black and cool – around 16-19 degrees Celcius is optimal
Practice deep breathing for a few minutes or listen to a guided meditation as you drift off to sleep
NEWLY DIAGNOSED AND NEEDING TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD OF AN OVERACTIVE THYROID?
I cover what you need to know to manage an overactive thyroid naturally in my course, the Hyperthyroid and Graves’ Disease Recovery Program.
This comprehensive program includes:
6 modules covering the most important information you need to understand your overactive thyroid and how to support it naturally
Resources on thyroid testing and which tests will give you the best overview of your thyroid function
Steps to help you identify triggers and avoid thyroid flares
6 restorative Naturopathic Yoga sessions
Thyroid meditations
A BONUS 4 step gut healing protocol (because many of the triggers for your thyroid are found in the gut!)