Psychosomatic Aspects of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Abstract

Graves’ disease is associated with the onset of thyroid disease in relation to psychosocial factors such as severe stress. Additionally, in refractory cases, an association between psychosocial factors and the course of treatment has been suggested. Associations have been reported with life events, daily hassles, depression, neuroticism, alexithymia, and overadaptation. Depression and anxiety are often observed in Graves’ disease but these symptoms do not necessarily improve with the normalization of thyroid function, meaning that they cannot be explained solely by excess thyroid hormone. It is important to consider psychosomatic aspects in the treatment of Graves’ disease. In Hashimoto’s disease, it has been reported that hypothyroidism can cause depressive symptoms and is also associated with alexithymia, depression, and anxiety, suggesting the presence of a mind-body relationship. However, most studies have been conducted on a small number of cases, and further research in this regard is needed.