According to a March article about the impacts of misdiagnosed autoimmune disorders in Psychology Today, there is significant overlap between autoimmune disorders and psychiatric symptoms with many patients being misdiagnosed with a psychiatric illness rather than an autoimmune. The article stresses the serious consequences of missed or misdiagnosed autoimmune disorders.
Autoimmune disorders are caused when your body decides to attack healthy tissue and cause irreversible damage. The correlation to mental health issues and autoimmune disorders is high and some doctors tend to misdiagnose both.
This needs to change.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the main overlap that doctors are looking into is a targeted protein that attacks healthy nerve receptors and brain cells causing dysfunction within the body.
In the case of autoimmune disorders, symptoms flair and change constantly. Symptoms are not at the same level all the time. Depending on when patients are seen by their physician, it can be hard to articulate how the issue affects their day-to-day life.
The Journal of Rheumatology studied participants who have an autoimmune disorder that was mistaken for mental illness. The study looked at how this affected the participants and their relationships with their medical partitioner in combination with their self-esteem.
Over 3,800 people participated in this study, most of them having lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. The study showed over 80 per cent of the participants said the experience damaged their self-esteem. Those who already had pre-existing mental illnesses reported the study made it worse stating the experience was isolating.
This needs to change.
Doctors tend to miss the overlap between autoimmune and psychiatric issues such as anxiety and depression, which are common symptoms of both. Autoimmune disorders are more common amongst women than men, and with a gender bias in the medical field, it can be harder for women to be properly diagnosed.
Statistically, women have a harder time navigating getting a diagnosis due to medical biases. To help with doctor’s appointments, some things Psychology Today listed to do before and during include tracking symptoms, asking for further testing and getting a second opinion.
This bias has not changed but must.
Diagnosing autoimmune disorder and psychiatric illness’ need to be smoother for both patient and physician.
Doctors need to recognize that neuropsychiatric issues have a direct link with autoimmune disorders. Most psychological issues are a manifestation of autoimmune symptoms and diseases.
A qualified specialist needs to investigate the indirect causes of mental health issues in those with chronic illnesses. This can include environmental, medication side effects, and underlying psychological issues.
Practitioners need to talk with those who have been misdiagnosed before and learn from the mistakes the physicians made to prevent further damage with new patients. Misdiagnoses can put a damper on the trust with the medical field.
The link between autoimmune and psychiatric issues have been overlooked for far too long. It is time for physicians to step it up and make the connections that can help their patients.