Does having an underlying medical condition make mental illness any less valid? - Mental Health Message Board

frozeninside · 07-16-2005, 11:36 PM

This is a bone of contention between my parents and I, and I can imagine it will be until one day I get a solid explanantion for what is going on with me. I got thyroid cancer a year ago at age 18, have had thyroid disease since 15/16 or so, and VERY slight mitral valve prolapse for who knows how long. Since having my thyroid removed, I've become markedly worse, spiraling into deeper depression, debilitating mood swings, and agitation. I've had my Synthroid adjusted at least 6 times, no change. I've been going to therapy since my freshman year in college, no progress. I've been on and off of 2 AD's which only made me worse. I'm seeing a mitral valve specialist who has targeted food allergies, changed my diet, and added more supplements. No improvement. I don't know where I'm going with this (brain fog much????!!!!) but basically I'm tired of having to prove to my parents that what I am experiencing is severe mental illness, no matter what the underlying "cause" may or may not be. My mom has gone so far as to say, "you're not depressed because you're not suicidal." They have no idea of the inner turmoil I live with every day, and I've given up trying to explain to anyone, including my psychologist (who my dad has forbidden me to see anyway). My point is that since I was a little girl I can remember having obsessive thoughts about death (I used to have horrible images of my mother in a coffin while in my head I repeated, "kill my mother, kill my mother) :0 I was severely shy, and I often begged my parents to let me see a psychiatrist. I could just sense that I was different. Soooo, I'd like to think that my problems are more biological than anything. But I guess I'm going against my point that it doesn't matter-there is no reason to be ashamed of mental illness so why are my parents looking for a physical condition to blame?? I mean, I honestly feel like I'm not "worthy" of being mentally ill...like I'm this huge fake or something. Okay, I don't even know if any of that made sense (I'm derealizing here too) but I hope someone can help me set things straight.

Ruth6:11 · 07-17-2005, 05:01 PM

It is entirely possible that the removal of your thyroid has caused some of your symptoms. Here is a list of possible effects from the surgery which can cause hypothyroidism:

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, exhaustion, feeling run down and sluggish, depression, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, unexplained or excessive weight gain, dry skin, coarse and/or itchy skin, dry hair, coarse and/or thinning hair, feeling cold, especially in the extremities, constipation, muscle cramps, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, increased menstrual flow, more frequent periods.

It is also true that an event like this can trigger a latent mental illness. Type III Bipolar Disorder is one example. Hormone shifts of any sort can cause mental issues.

And anyone with a mental illness could also end up with a physical illness, so why not the other way around?

I'm sorry that your parent's are resistant to what is going on with you - is it possible for you to see your doctor by yourself? And have a list made up ahead of time on symptoms you are having?
Start a simple diary/journal with your physical and mental symptoms for a few months and bring it in the the doctor.
If the depression is severe SEE A DR RIGHT AWAY!!!

Everything you said made sense - don't worry about that... We just need to get you feeling a little better!!

hry33 · 07-17-2005, 05:19 PM

to frozen
I think you mainly have anxiety and stress problems, try more exercise and long walks and keep yourself busy with constructive things