Introduction: The association between thyroid function and mental health has been long recognized. Both excess and insufficient thyroid hormones can cause significant anxiety and depression. AIM: We aimed at finding out the nature and extent of psychiatric co-morbidity in patients suffering from thyroid dysfunction in a teaching hospital located in Jalandhar (Punjab).

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out and fifty consecutive patients diagnosed as having thyroid dysfunction after taking an informed consent, were included in the study. The patients were assessed with a self-structured questionnaire for recording the socio-demographic variables, Hamilton Rating Scale for depression, Amritsar Depressive Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. The patients were assessed by a psychiatrist and assigned a diagnosis as per the I.C.D.-10 criteria, where applicable.

Observations and Results: The sample consisted of 50 patients out of which 12(24%) were males and 38(76%) were females. The mean age of the sample was 38.7 years. 34(68%) patients were diagnosed as having hypothyroidism out of which 32(94.1%) were females. 16(32%) patients were diagnosed as having hyperthyroidism out of which 10(62.5%) were males. 9(56.3%) of the hypothyroid patients scored 18 or more on Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, indicative of moderate to severe anxiety. Of the 34 patients suffering from Hypothyroidism, 16(47.1%) were found to have moderate to severe anxiety. Of the 34 patients diagnosed as having hypothyroidism, 16 (47.1%) patients were found to have significant depression. The corresponding figure for hyperthyroidism was 5(31.3%). 15 of the 34(44.1%) patients of hypothyroidism had an Axis – I Diagnosis of Depressive episode as per the I.C.D.-10 criteria. Of the 16 hyperthyroid patients 5 (31.3%) were diagnosed to have Panic Disorder.

Clinical Implications: The findings of our study underscore the need of a liaison with a psychiatrist in every patient of thyroid dysfunction. This would greatly help improve the quality of life of these patients and would lead to better outcomes both in the short and longterm..

Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism

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Deepali Gul