Doha Ghouth Saudi Gazette One of the many reasons that play a pivotal role in breaking marriages is, surprisingly, hypothyroidism. Doctors say hypothyroidism's initial symptoms are similar to aging and so most people, especially women, for a very long time are not aware of it. It is relatively a common occurrence after menopause in women. Hypothyroidism is the inefficiency of producing thyroid hormones that control the way the body uses energy which could interfere with the functioning of virtually every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. Hai'a Al-Rahman, 38, told Saudi Gazette how her marriage ended in divorce — all because of hypothyroidism. Hai'a avoided visiting the doctor for consultation for the symptoms she was undergoing — fatigue and depression. “I was mad at everything and everyone. I fought with my husband over petty issues, which would eventually turn into a huge problem." Hai'a thought that after having two children, the symptoms she was undergoing were normal. Hai'a asked her husband for divorce after enduring the problems for three years. Hai'a's husband was a good man who gave Hai'a what she desired. Hai'a felt she didn't love him and thought that he was the problem behind her miseries. Little did she know that her then state of mind and body was due to a common yet unapparent disease. “I wasn't aware that I would destroy my marriage with my own hands," said Hai'a. Dr. Sameer said that fatigue and depression associated with headaches, hair loss, and irregular menstrual periods are the most common symptoms found in young women. “The symptoms seem mild and are often ignored but its demolishing effect is still evident in many people." “There are no clear statistics of people suffering from hypothyroidism. It mainly arises because of people's negligence, although it is very easy to treat," Dr. Sameer added. There are many ways to get over the mental effects caused by thyroid imbalances. The first step is to treat and stabilize the condition of the patient, according to Dr. Sameer. “Getting into a routine or working on a project right after getting rid of the physical symptoms of hypothyroidism will help the patient uplift their spirits and make them feel useful," he said. Husbands whose wives suffer from hypothyroidism find it very difficult to deal with them, simply because they don't know the problem behind their distressed state. No matter what the husbands do or say doesn't help in reviving their wives' moods. Siraj Al-Katheery's ex-wife suffered from hypothyroidism for six years before being diagnosed. “Those were the worst six years of my life. My wife hated everything and anything I said or did. After five years of constant fighting and arguing, in which the children were also fed up, I decided to end my marriage of 20 years." Al-Katheery said he has no regrets over his decision for divorce, but he wished he had known what the problem was and perhaps, things would have been different today, as giving 20 years to a relationship is not a small thing. Khalid Babteen's wife also suffered from hypothyroidism. Babteen said initially he complained about her laziness, dirtiness of the house and how she wasn't able to take care of anything. “We even got separated for a while, but later when we figured out the problem I started helping her out and that made her appreciate me more and even made her feel a lot better." Babteen said with everything now in control he feels his relationship is now even better than before. Support and patience from husband, family and friends help a lot in recuperating from the disease, and living a normal life again. “A patient can use all the support he/she can get with any condition and with that relationships improve bringing them even close together reaching an unbreakable bond that will stay stronger for longer," said Dr. Al-Shiekh.
