Shortness of breath. Fatigue. A racing heart. You might think it’s anxiety—but it could be something else entirely. Here's what doctors say you should consider before accepting a diagnosis.
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
POTS causes an abnormal spike in heart rate when standing, often leading to dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue. These overlap heavily with anxiety symptoms, making misdiagnosis easy. However, symptoms are triggered specifically by changes in posture, and diagnostic tools like a tilt table test can help confirm POTS.
IST (Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia)
IST is characterized by an abnormally high resting heart rate without an obvious cause. Patients may feel their heart racing—even while at rest. Unlike anxiety, the elevated heart rate in IST is persistent and doesn't fluctuate with emotional states. A Holter monitor or ECG can help distinguish between the two.
Endometriosis
This painful condition involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing elsewhere in the body, often leading to chronic pelvic pain and fatigue. These physical symptoms can increase stress and cause anxiety-like feelings, but they're primarily linked to the menstrual cycle. Diagnosis typically involves imaging and a pelvic exam.
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PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Hormonal imbalances from PCOS can cause mood swings, fatigue, and irritability—all of which mimic anxiety. However, PCOS comes with other hallmarks, such as irregular periods, excess facial hair, and acne. Blood tests that check hormone levels can help clarify the diagnosis.
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. While anxiety can cause stomach upset, IBD often involves blood in the stool, chronic diarrhea, and weight loss. A colonoscopy or imaging tests can provide clarity.
Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid can mimic anxiety with symptoms like restlessness, sweating, and heart palpitations. However, hyperthyroidism often includes weight loss, tremors, and heat sensitivity. Blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels are key to diagnosis.
Adrenal insufficiency
This hormonal disorder results in low cortisol levels, causing fatigue, low blood pressure, and muscle weakness. These can resemble panic attacks, but other signs like salt cravings, skin darkening, and unexplained weight loss suggest adrenal issues. Blood tests for cortisol and ACTH are commonly used in diagnosis.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
AS is a form of arthritis that affects the spine, often leading to chronic pain and stiffness. This ongoing discomfort can cause stress and anxiety, but AS pain typically improves with movement and worsens with rest. Diagnosis usually includes X-rays or testing for the HLA-B27 gene marker.
Lyme disease
Caused by tick bites, Lyme disease can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and mood changes—symptoms often confused with anxiety or depression. However, a characteristic bull’s-eye rash and joint pain point to Lyme disease. Blood tests for Lyme-specific antibodies can confirm it.
Fibromyalgia
This chronic pain disorder includes widespread muscle tenderness, fatigue, and cognitive issues. The physical toll often leads to anxiety-like symptoms, but fibromyalgia is diagnosed by assessing specific tender points and ruling out other conditions. Sleep disturbances and memory problems are also common.
Article is based on information from Healthline
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