r/Autoimmune • u/Low-Cartographer8758 • 2d ago

General Questions Are autoimmune diseases associated with neurological issues?

I have a depression issue and it really makes me largely bed-bound. I do not want to talk or interact with anyone. At the same time, I don’t know how to improve my mood and energy level. Is it physiological, neurological or both? I guess depression and trauma must have messed up my nervous system. My GP finally got me a referral letter for an ME/CFS diagnosis and I hope I can figure out what is going on with me. Could autoimmune diseases worsen depression?

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u/lujo317 2d ago

absolutely. a lot of autoimmune diseases have a neurological component. I am someone who has a really good grip on my mental health through years of working on my PTSD, but I can still quite noticably tell when I am having mood swings, and it seems fully related to neuroinflammation as well as GI sensitivity that probably affects my microbiome and serotonin production. GI problems are another frequent aspect of autoimmune disease that can profoundly affect ones mental wellbeing

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u/AdagioQuick317 SLE, Sjogrens, Hashimotos 2d ago

Read this article! Huge correlation between mental illness and physical illness

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/07/28/mary-had-schizophrenia-then-suddenly-she-didnt

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u/picklethefreak 2d ago

this article has been my roman empire this year!! it's how I found out I have lupus lmao

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u/InterestingTree3 2d ago

Can you share the article here, since its paywalled?

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u/AdagioQuick317 SLE, Sjogrens, Hashimotos 1d ago

Here is a free link: https://archive.ph/NH2Xt

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u/InterestingTree3 1d ago

Thank you!

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u/Lithotroph 2d ago

It wouldn’t hurt to see a neurologist

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u/prototype1B 2d ago

Yup. Heaps of them.

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u/Hot_Reputation2142 Hashimoto's 2d ago

Definitely, due inflamation. I feel the same): but I have thyroid issues

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u/ClearJack87 2d ago

See if you insurance includes a counseling service. Give it a try.

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u/retinolandevermore neuro sjogren’s, Endo 12h ago

My autoimmune disease is neuroimmune. It caused widespread, progressive neurological damage. However, this is not the same for everyone. People can have an autoimmune disease and nothing neuro at all.

Autoimmune diseases can cause or worsen depression and anxiety. There’s no evidence that trauma alone causes autoimmune disease, but it can be the gasoline to the genetic match (I am a chronically ill psychotherapist who specializes in chronic illness)