9.1% of psychiatric patients have undiagnosed medical disorders causing their symptoms.

For example: a physical illness that looks like depression.

Medical misdiagnosis happens when we rush to mental health labels without checking for physical causes first.

It’s a dangerous mistake.

These physical conditions mimic depression:

Thyroid Problems

Fatigue, brain fog, weight changes
Often dismissed as “just depression”
Simple blood test can identify it

Vitamin Deficiencies

B12 and folate deficiencies affect mood Cause energy loss and cognitive decline Treatment is straightforward when caught

Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea disrupts restorative sleep
Causes daytime fatigue mistaken for depression
80% of cases remain undiagnosed

Neurological Conditions

Parkinson’s affects mood before motor symptoms
Seizure disorders can mimic depression
Each requires specialized treatment

Chronic Infections

Lyme disease, HIV, and others affect mood
Can cause persistent “depression-like” symptoms

Missed diagnoses lead to years of suffering

There’s a pattern: When we rush to psychiatric diagnoses, we miss medical conditions with similar symptoms.

Good mental health care starts with good physical health screening.

Any one of us who doesn’t rule these out isn’t practicing evidence-based medicine.

Proper diagnosis changes everything.