ANXIETY

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder frequently associated with psychiatric manifestations. Depression and anxiety are among the most reported symptoms, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Understanding this association is crucial for early diagnosis and holistic management. Objective: To establish the relationship between anxiety, depression, and hypothyroidism. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 10-09-2024 to 10-03-2025. Methods: A total of 80 diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism were enrolled. Among them, 50 (62.5%) were female and 30 (37.5%) were male. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) were administered to assess depression and anxiety levels. Descriptive statistics were applied to evaluate prevalence, gender distribution, and symptom profiles. Results: Out of 80 patients, 74 (92.5%) exhibited varying degrees of depression on HDRS, including 46 females (62.1%) and 28 males (37.8%). Anxiety was identified in 68 patients (85.0%) on HAM-A, with 42 females (61.7%) and 26 males (38.2%). The most frequent depressive symptoms were depressed mood and gastrointestinal somatic complaints, while anxious mood and depressed mood were the predominant anxiety features. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is strongly associated with psychiatric manifestations, particularly depression and anxiety. Routine psychological screening should be integrated into the management of hypothyroid patients to ensure timely intervention and improved outcomes.