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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
can anabolic steroid use cause depression and anxiety after stopped
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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can anabolic steroid use cause depression and anxiety after stopped
by Cindy, Oct 23, 1999 12:00AM
My 17 year old son used anabolic steroids for weight training. He did this without telling anyone, and did not complete one full cycle when he realized he wasn't able to handle the way he was feeling. He was using testosterone and Laurabolin. He purchased the needles himself, and watched the guy draw them up. He first started having aggressive episodes that were not like him at all, and that is when he stopped. After about 6 weeks of taking them, he has become extremely depressed with a some irrational fears. This is when he told us what he had done, and he admitted his fears of HIV, but after being convinced that they were not real, he just can't get over this terrible depression. He's seeing a doctor, but we, and especially he, want to know if anyone can tell us how long it will be before he is feeling normal. He does not feel like he can go on like this. Please help.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Oct 26, 1999 12:00AM
Cindy,
I can understand your concerns about your son's use of steroids, as well as his aggressive and depressive symptoms. Steroids may cause euphoria, increased anger, irritability, and violent behavior. Steroids are potentially addictive substances, and when use is discontinued, abusers may become depressed, anxious, and concerned about their bodies' physical state. There are no specific treatment guidelines for anabolic steroid abuse. Abstinence from further steroid use is the desired goal. A successful outcome is more likely with psychotherapy, which may also help with correcting issues of body image distortion. Persistent depression and/or anxiety can be successfully treated with medications. I urge you to discuss your concerns further with your son's treating physician.
I can understand your concerns about your son's use of steroids, as well as his aggressive and depressive symptoms. Steroids may cause euphoria, increased anger, irritability, and violent behavior. Steroids are potentially addictive substances, and when use is discontinued, abusers may become depressed, anxious, and concerned about their bodies' physical state. There are no specific treatment guidelines for anabolic steroid abuse. Abstinence from further steroid use is the desired goal. A successful outcome is more likely with psychotherapy, which may also help with correcting issues of body image distortion. Persistent depression and/or anxiety can be successfully treated with medications. I urge you to discuss your concerns further with your son's treating physician.
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