Depression & Hypothyroidism

 

One of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism is depression. Which makes sense, you feel exhausted, you're gaining weight, you lack the energy to do the simplest of things, who wouldn't feel depressed!

But what if you already battle with depression and also have hypothyroidism? 

I have battled with depression and anxiety all my adult life, which I take medication for. For the most part the drugs help, but I still have days when it gets the better of me. So, when I started experiencing the symptoms of hypothyroidism, I thought I was just having a "down day", but that down day became a down week and a down fortnight. 

All I wanted to do was sleep the day away and I could because we were in lockdown, I had no reason to get out of bed or off the sofa. Over the years I have become quite good at pulling myself out of these funks I get into occasionally, but this time I just couldn't. I was sinking deeper and deeper into depression. 

I spoke to my GP about what I thought was just depression, he increased my dosage of anti-depressants and we would review it 2 months. The increase was just 10mg, but it helped a little. I didn't feel quite so joyless. However, all the other symptoms that I have always associated with my depression were still there. 

So, I decided to get off the damn sofa and go for a walk, get some vitamin D and fresh air. That was the answer, that would make me feel better. The first couple days, I did feel better, had a bit of a boost to my energy levels. 

I think I managed 10 days, before those energy boosts began to wane and I would feel exhausted again and just wanted to spend my days sleeping. 

By now I had lots of other symptoms that were concerning me, so I called my GP.  My thyroid diagnosis was confirmed. I started treatment immediately. Over the coming months, I felt much better and was able to reduce my dose of anti-depressants back to what it had been previously. 

For me depression is like any other condition, you take medication and you manage your symptoms the best you can. There are many that would disagree with me, but for me, this works and has done for years. Everyone is different and there is not a "one size fits all" when it comes to depression. You just have to find what works for you. 

Adding Hypothyroidism into the mix has made my depression a little more tricky to deal with, but like anything in life it's a learning curve and I have to find new ways to manage it. 

Going to the gym regularly, has not only helped me shed those unwanted extra pounds but also helps me manage my stress and anxiety. My PT and I finish our sessions with 15 minutes of boxing and that REALLY HELPS!!