Although hyperthyroidism may follow some emotional upheaval or stressful event, the possibility exists that the emotional upheaval prior to the illness may have been the by-product of the early phase of thyroid hyperactivity itself before the complete picture of the illness becomes manifested. Similarly, the psychological constitution of those who develop the illness has been extensively studied, but with no good consensus between various personality descriptions given. I believe the role of personality factors has been overemphasized. In general, the psychological disturbances show satisfactory resolution with adequate treatment of the thyroid hyperactivity. Since hypothyroidism usually develops slowly, and the early complaints are frequently minor, vague and diffuse in nature, it is not surprising that the diagnosis is often overlooked.
Psychological symptoms are common and well manifested by the time the patient seeks medical advice.
This underscores the importance of early detection and treatment. It is claimed that in the treatment of depression not related to any thyroid disturbance the addition of thyroxine may hasten and augment the effects of antidepressant drugs. Thyroxine was also found to be beneficial in the treatment of a rare condition call periodic catatonia in which the patient's condition alternates periodically between states of apathy and immobility and marked excitement. Effects of Psychiatric Drugs on the Thyroid Gland Lithium, a natural element drug used successfully to treat manic-depressive illness and prevent relapse, was found to produce a state of hypothyroidism in some patients. This side effect is not universal and happens only after long-term use.