About 14 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Statistics show that over 15 percent of U.S. adults will experience severe anxiety or "panic attacks" in their lifetime. Anxiety can occur in response to severe stress or an underlying medical illness. Now research reports that anxiety disorders may occur in patients with endocrine diseases such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid problems, adrenal disorders and testosterone deficiency.
The study, published in Primary Psychiatry, reviewed psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in patients with endocrine disorders. According to the study, the following endocrine syndromes can cause anxiety:
1. Diabetes-
Diabetic patients have more anxiety and depression than the general population. In addition, stress may contribute to the onset of diabetes and difficulty in controlling diabetes. "Stress hormones are involved in the counter-regulatory response to insulin, so stress is likely to play a role in increasing blood glucose," the study author writes. "It is unclear whether stress directly influences metabolic regulation or whether people under stress change their self-care behaviors."
2. Hypoglycemia-
Hypoglycemia is often due to prescribed insulin. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can include anxiety and panic attacks, depression, inattention or unexplained fatigue.
2. Thyroid and parathyroid disorders-
Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, can cause anxiety disorders. The psychiatric symptoms of hyperthyroidism often imitate generalized anxiety disorder, but may also include depression, cognitive disorders, mild tremor and irritability. Hypoparathyroidism can cause low calcium levels and symptoms of anxiety, irritability mania, and psychosis.
3. Adrenal disorders-
Cushing's syndrome, or hyperadrenalism, can cause anxiety disorders. The psychiatric symptoms of Cushing's syndrome can also include depression, hypomania/mania, psychosis and cognitive disorders.
4. Testosterone deficiency-
Both men and women can experience a loss of libido with low testosterone levels. Accompanying symptoms may include anxiety or depression, low energy, and muscle weakness. Deficiency levels of testosterone have been identified in men but not in women.
REFERENCES:
1. Levenson JL. Psychiatric Issues in Endocrinology. Primary Psychiatry. 2006;13(4):27-30
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 9, 2006 02:53 PM
