Corticosteroid-induced psychiatric disturbances are com- mon and include mania, depression, psychotic or mixed affective states, cognitive deficits, and minor psychiatric disturbances (irritability, insomnia, anxiety, labile mood). In children, these effects commonly manifest as behavioral changes.
Some people who take steroids say the drugs make them feel powerful and energetic. However, steroids are also known to increase irritability, anxiety and aggression and cause mood swings, manic symptoms and paranoia, particularly when taken in high doses.
Symptoms such as euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychosis—referred to as corticosteroid-induced psychosis—have been estimated to develop in 5% to 18% of patients treated with corticosteroids.
Prednisone and Mood Swings
In other words, a person receiving prednisone may find themselves feeling incredibly sad or mad and have absolutely no idea why. Prednisone has been associated with more serious problems such as psychotic disorders, delusions, and dementia.
Like any good medication, though, prednisone comes with a slew of side effects, none more fun to deal with than the very unpleasant mood swings. If you've ever heard the term “roid-rage” this is pretty much where it comes from. I can tell you (subjectively, of course), that these mood swings are, well, horrendous.
This medicine may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have depression, mood swings, a false or unusual sense of well-being, trouble with sleeping, or personality changes while taking this medicine.
Steroid misuse can cause acne,70–72 hair loss on the head, cysts, and oily hair and skin. Users who inject steroids may also develop pain and abscess formation at injection sites. Anabolic steroids can also produce jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as a result of damage to the liver.
Other side effects like weight gain, mood swings, and osteoporosis may be reduced with lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and improved sleep habits. Prednisone should never be stopped suddenly; this can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
"Additionally we have shown that long-term treatment of steroids can block its effectiveness at all times of day and could contribute to the brain fog experienced by many people on steroids."
It's normal to feel some mild symptoms for about a week or two as you taper off prednisone. Don't take any OTC pain medicine or prescription drugs without asking your doctor first. Psychological withdrawal symptoms could last for 2 to 8 weeks.
Corticosteroids reduce GABA, leading to anxiety, changes in mood, depression, seizure disorders, and a decreased capacity to cope with chronic pain. Corticosteroids may also impact the hippocampus in the brain, which regulates memory and emotional processing.
The psychiatric effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (ie, testosterone and its derivatives) have been less well studied than their physical effects but are reported to include depression, mania, psychosis, and aggression. Dependence can also occur, with withdrawal involving psychiatric and physical symptoms.
People taking steroids -- even inhaled steroids -- appear to have less intact white matter structure in their brains compared with those not taking the drugs, brain scans reveal. White matter serves as the communication link between different regions of the brain.
As you highlighted, oral steroids can cause mood swings including irritability, anxiety, and aggression. While it's true that these personality changes may be caused by the drugs, your boyfriend is still responsible for his behavior.
Testosterone. Available in both oral and injectable forms, testosterone is widely prescribed to treat low testosterone levels and is considered the safest oral steroid.
A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their usual function. The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months.
Steroids are a man-made version of chemicals, known as hormones, that are made naturally in the human body. Steroids are designed to act like these hormones to reduce inflammation. They're also known as corticosteroids, and are different to anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders and athletes.
by Drugs.com
Prednisone does not usually cause sleepiness but may make you feel dizzy, irritable with mood swings, or cause you to have trouble sleeping (insomnia). If your dose is stopped too quickly or if you take prednisone for a long period of time you may feel severely fatigued.
But too few patients are warned about the psychological side effects of prednisone, and patients can be surprised and confused. Prednisone affects areas of the brain that manage the regulation of different neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine — the “feel-good” hormones.
Drastic mood swings and “roid rage” are common red flags of prolonged steroid abuse. Steroid abuse can also result in dramatic personality changes over time.
Fluid retention is one of prednisone's most famous side effects. “'Moon face' is common, which is swelling in the face that can occur after you've been on steroids for a long time,” Dr. Ford notes. “You can also get swelling in the legs and midsection.”