You might have experienced the fluttering in your stomach before a big event, the pounding heart when stressed, or the sleepless nights spent worrying about what the next day might hold. Anxiety, in many cases, is a natural response to life’s challenges. For many, these moments of anxiety are fleeting and manageable. However, when these feelings persist and begin to interfere with daily life, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder. What makes anxiety even more challenging to navigate is its ability to mimic symptoms of other medical conditions, leading to confusion and sometimes even misdiagnosis.
We spoke to our expert Dr Rajmadhangi, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, who listed medical conditions that can mimic anxiety symptoms, shedding light on the importance of thorough medical evaluation.
“Anxiety is a health condition and is also considered a disorder, which causes a feeling of fear, uneasiness, and tension. Usually, anxiety is a stress response, in a few circumstances it can help us to stay aware of the situation, motivate us to be organised, and also prepare us to calculate risks. But when this condition exceeds normal anxiety limits, it affects the mental health of a person,” said Dr Rajmadhangi.
Certain factors are responsible for changing nervousness into anxiety disorder, namely long-term stress, which alters the neurotransmitters that control the mood. Any traumatic event from childhood or adulthood can also activate anxiety disorder.
Symptoms Of Anxiety
“Symptoms like experiencing excessive fear or worry about a particular situation, trouble concentrating or making decisions, having heart palpitations, sleeping trouble, and feeling restless and irritable, can all cause a panic attack or social situation,” said Dr Rajmadhangi.
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Medical Conditions That Mimic The Symptoms Of Anxiety
1. Hormonal Imbalance
Hyperthyroidism occurs when a body produces more thyroid hormone leading to hormonal imbalance. Due to this, a person may experience palpitations, sweating, nervousness, and irritability, similar to anxiety.
2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract leads to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Symptoms like abdominal pain, stress, cramping, and fatigue are similar to anxiety disorder. According to a 2015 study, up to 40% of patients with IBD experience abnormal levels of anxiety. These anxiety symptoms are often linked to IBD flare-ups, though they can also persist during periods of remission.
3. Heart Arrhythmias
Heart arrhythmias refer to irregular heartbeats that cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath and palpitations. These symptoms are often associated with anxiety or panic attacks, as they can evoke similar sensations of discomfort and fear.
4. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
POTS is a condition characterised by a significant increase in heart rate when transitioning from lying down to standing up. The symptoms, including dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations, closely resemble those of anxiety disorders.
5. Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency, commonly referred to as Addison’s disease, happens when the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol hormones. This hormonal deficiency can lead to symptoms, such as fatigue, low blood pressure, and dizziness, which can be confused with anxiety.
6. Hypoglycemia
A condition where a decrease in blood sugar level in the body is called hypoglycemia. A person may experience shakiness, sweating, dizziness, and confusion, all of these symptoms can be mistaken for anxiety.
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7. Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumour that develops in the adrenal gland. This tumour can cause an overproduction of hormones that lead to symptoms, such as sweating, palpitations, and headaches. These symptoms can closely resemble those of anxiety or panic attacks, making it challenging to differentiate between the two.
8. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
According to the BMC Women's Health, anxiety disorders are frequently observed in individuals with PCOS. One of the main reasons for PCOS is fluctuation in hormone levels. Symptoms that mimic anxiety are irritability, mood swings, and fatigue, these anxiety disorders are common among PCOS people.
9. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing stiffness and chronic pain. The constant discomfort and the physical limitations imposed by AS can lead to stress and fatigue, symptoms that are often confused with anxiety.
10. Fibromyalgia
Spontaneous pain throughout the body called fibromyalgia is often considered chronic. Symptoms associated with it and mistaken for anxiety are lack of sleep, depression, abdominal discomfort, and headache.
Bottomline
Dr Rajmadhangi concluded, “Although anxiety is a common mental health disorder, it often shares its symptoms with several medical conditions. Few health conditions contain the elements that can be transferred to anxiety. A person should seek proper treatment from the doctor to avoid health hazards in the future. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment are vital in managing both anxiety and any coexisting health issues effectively.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]