When Medical Problems Look like Mental Health Disorders: Key Insights for Clinicians
Tokens may not be used with webinars
2025
Mental health symptoms aren’t always what they seem—fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, panic attacks, and even memory problems can sometimes be signs of underlying medical conditions rather than purely psychological disorders. What if your client’s “treatment-resistant depression” is actually a thyroid disorder? Or their panic attacks are being fueled by undiagnosed heart issues?
As a mental health professional, you’re the first line of defense in helping clients get the care they need—but recognizing when to treat, investigate further, or refer out can be tricky. This practical, eye-opening training will give you the confidence to differentiate medical from psychiatric conditions so you can stop second-guessing, make smarter clinical decisions, and ensure your clients receive the right treatment.
Among the topics covered in this webinar include:
- The top medical conditions that masquerade as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and even psychosis
- 5 key screening questions (+ follow-ups!) to help you determine if symptoms might have a medical cause
- When to refer to a medical provider—and how to advocate when medical concerns are dismissed
- How sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle factors can mimic or worsen psychiatric symptoms
- Real-world case examples to help youapply your knowledge in practice
Target audience: This course is appropriate for all mental health professionals
Content level: Introductory/Intermediate
Educational Objectives
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to
- Identify 3 psychiatric symptoms for which medical conditions may be the underlying cause.
- Identify how lifestyle factors—such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep—can both exacerbate or mediate mental health.
- Utilize screening questions during intake that can help to identify whether the client may need a referral to a medical provider.
Syllabus
- Overview: When the Body Masquerades as the Mind
- Why differentiating medical vs. psychiatric symptoms is essential
- Most commonly misdiagnosed medical conditions (with real-world examples)
- How misdiagnosis can delay appropriate treatment and impact outcomes
- Medical Conditions That Mimic Mental Health Disorders
- Depression vs. Hypothyroidism
- Anxiety vs. Cardiac Issues
- ADHD vs. Sleep Deprivation
- Psychosis vs. Neurological Conditions
- When chronic pain disorders mimic PTSD
- Red flags for a possible medical cause
- The 5-Step Screening Framework for Clinicians
- Introduction to a structured approach for evaluating potential medical contributors to psychiatric symptoms
- Key factors to consider when determining if symptoms warrant a medical referral
- How to differentiate common medical conditions from psychiatric disorders in everyday practice
- Case scenarios to illustrate how the framework is applied in real clinical settings
- Sleep, Nutrition, and Physical Health
- How poor sleep quality can present as mood disorders or cognitive dysfunction
- The role of nutrition and blood sugar fluctuations in psychiatric symptoms
- The link between physical inactivity and depression/social withdrawal
- Three simple strategies to help clients improve their overall well-being
- When to Refer: Prioritizing PCP & Neuropsychology First
- PCPs as the first line: What to ask for, how to phrase requests
- Neuropsychologists for cognitive and attention-related concerns
- When to recommend specialists (cardiology, endocrinology, sleep medicine, etc.)
- Applying This Knowledge in Clinical Practice
- Case Study Review
- Quick communication practice: How to explain referral recommendations to clients
- Actionable takeaways