What If It’s Not “Just Anxiety”? Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Mental Health

Anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep are common mental health concerns—but sometimes, there may be more contributing to how you feel.

Your mental and physical health are closely connected. Certain medical conditions, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medications, and sleep problems can cause symptoms that look like anxiety or depression—or make an existing mental health condition significantly harder to manage.

At ALYV Health, we believe mental health care should consider the whole person. Sometimes that means looking beyond symptoms and asking

another important question:

Could something physical be contributing to how you feel?

Your Thyroid Can Affect More Than Your Metabolism

Thyroid hormones play an important role throughout the body, including the brain.

An underactive thyroid may contribute to symptoms such as:

• Fatigue or low energy

• Depressed mood

• Brain fog

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in sleep

• Weight changes

• Feeling slowed down or unmotivated

An overactive thyroid can sometimes present with symptoms that feel remarkably similar to anxiety, including:

• Racing heart

• Restlessness

• Irritability

• Difficulty sleeping

• Shakiness

• Feeling anxious or on edge

This doesn't mean every person experiencing anxiety or depression has a thyroid problem. But when symptoms and medical history suggest a possible thyroid issue, appropriate testing may be an important part of the evaluation.

Vitamin & Nutrient Deficiencies Matter, Too

Sometimes feeling exhausted, unfocused, or simply “not like yourself” can have a physical component.

Deficiencies or abnormalities involving nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D may contribute to symptoms that overlap with mental health concerns.

Depending on the deficiency, symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating, low energy, cognitive changes, or changes in mood.

Simply starting supplements isn't always the answer. The goal is to determine whether a deficiency is actually present and, when appropriate, understand why.

Hormonal Changes Can Affect Mental Health

Hormones can have a significant impact on mood, sleep, energy, and cognition throughout different stages of life.

Pregnancy, the postpartum period, perimenopause, and menopause can all bring changes that affect mental well-being.

A woman who suddenly develops anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, or changes in mood during perimenopause may need more than someone simply telling her she's “stressed.”

Likewise, new or worsening symptoms after having a baby deserve attention. Postpartum anxiety and depression are real medical conditions, and support is available.

Recognizing the relationship between hormonal and mental health changes allows us to look at the bigger picture rather than treating every symptom in isolation.

Sleep Can Change Everything

Poor sleep doesn't just make you tired.

Chronic sleep deprivation and sleep disorders can affect mood, concentration, memory, emotional regulation, and anxiety. At the same time, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions can make getting quality sleep even more difficult.

Sometimes determining why someone isn't sleeping well is an important part of understanding why they aren't feeling well during the day.

Chronic Health Conditions Can Take a Mental Toll

Living with a chronic medical condition can affect mental health in several ways.

There may be physical symptoms from the condition itself, side effects from medications, disruption to everyday life, financial stress, uncertainty about the future, or simply the exhaustion that comes with managing a health condition every day.

Mental and physical health don't exist in separate boxes. Treating one while completely ignoring the other can leave an important part of the picture unexplored.

Your Medications Matter

Another important part of a comprehensive evaluation is reviewing all of your medications and supplements—not just psychiatric medications.

Certain prescription medications, over-the-counter products, supplements, stimulants, and other substances can potentially affect sleep, anxiety, energy, concentration, or mood.

Medication review can also identify potential interactions, side effects, or opportunities to simplify a treatment plan.

Sometimes It Is Anxiety—and That's Important, Too

Looking for possible medical contributors doesn't mean anxiety or depression aren't real.

A person can have an underlying medical condition and an anxiety disorder. Someone can have a vitamin deficiency anddepression. A woman can be experiencing perimenopausal changes while also benefiting from psychiatric treatment.

The goal isn't to find a physical explanation instead of a mental health diagnosis.

The goal is to consider both.

A Whole-Person Approach at ALYV Health

At ALYV Health, we take a holistic approach to mental health care. Depending on your symptoms, history, and individual needs, your evaluation may include:

• A comprehensive review of your symptoms and medical history

• Review of current medications and supplements

• Psychiatric evaluation when appropriate

• Consideration of potential medical contributors to your symptoms

• Ordering appropriate laboratory testing when indicated

• Medication management

• Collaboration with your primary care provider or other specialists

• Coordination with therapists and counselors

Our Sioux Falls office also offers comprehensive wellness visits with Carmen Hendrix, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, who is dual-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This allows patients to receive care that considers both physical and mental health needs.

During a wellness visit, Carmen can review medications, address appropriate mild or chronic health concerns, and order laboratory testing to a lab that is convenient for you.

Therapy & Medication Management Can Work Together

Mental health treatment doesn't have to be an either/or decision between therapy and medication.

For many people, therapy and medication management go hand-in-hand.

ALYV Health works collaboratively with Moore Counseling Group and other therapists in our community so that patients can have a team supporting different aspects of their mental health.

Your therapist may help you develop coping strategies, process experiences, improve relationships, or change patterns of thinking and behavior. Your psychiatric provider can evaluate symptoms, consider diagnoses, manage medications when appropriate, and assess whether other factors may be contributing.

Both can be valuable parts of a comprehensive treatment plan.

You Deserve More Than “Everything Looks Fine”

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep, or simply don't feel like yourself, you deserve a provider who listens and considers the bigger picture.

Sometimes the answer is psychiatric treatment. Sometimes a medical condition is contributing.

Often, there are several pieces to the puzzle.

At ALYV Health, our goal is to understand the whole person—not just one symptom.

Appointments are available in person at our Sioux Falls, South Dakota office and via telehealth when appropriate.

Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment online or email hello@alyvhealth.org with questions about services, scheduling, or insurance coverage.