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Anxiety-like symptoms can be caused by certain medical conditions.

Detecting such medical conditions in a timely manner can be life-saving in some cases.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders and can be debilitating. However, sometimes, anxiety is not psychiatric, but a clue to an underlying medical condition.

Which medical conditions might mimic anxiety or cause anxiety, and why? Here are a few examples:

Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a state of excess thyroid hormones. In hyperthyroidism, an increased rate of metabolism leads to the speeding up of various bodily functions. Racing heart, frequent bowel movements, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, and tremors or shaking are among the manifestations. It is important to detect hyperthyroidism, especially because cardiac, osteoporotic, and other complications can occur if it remains untreated for prolonged periods of time.

Hypoglycemia: Anxiety can be an early effect of hypoglycemia or low blood glucose.1 Hypoglycemia can occur in people who have diabetes as well as in people who don’t have diabetes. Given that hypoglycemia can be life-threatening, the body perceives it as a threat, triggering adrenaline and cortisol release; this can lead to symptoms that can feel similar to anxiety, such as shakiness, panic, sweating, and a racing heart.2,3 When hypoglycemia occurs repeatedly or is severe, it could lead to brain changes4,5 and cognitive decline.6

Pheochromocytoma: Pheochromocytoma is a rare condition, caused by an often treatable, usually benign, tumor of the adrenal glands, which leads to excess adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body. It can result in high blood pressure, sweating, headaches, fast heartbeat, shakiness, and weight loss─all symptoms that can mimic anxiety and panic attacks.7 Like other rare diseases, it can escape detection, especially because the likelihood of occurrence is low.

This is not an exhaustive........

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