Steroids may be prescribed by a medical professional to treat a health problem, or misused by those who want to bulk up and increase their muscle mass.
However, no matter how they are used, steroids can have a major impact on your overall mood.
Steroids are known to cause mood swings as a side effect, and in some people, those mood swings can be so severe that they may end up receiving a diagnosis of depression, anxiety or another type of psychiatric problem.
Anxiety is especially common amongst those who are taking steroids, and it can cause a lot of long-term problems for the sufferer.
Which Effects Do Steroids Have On Mood?
Steroids are often prescribed by doctors to treat inflammation, for example in cases of asthma, allergic disorders, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and some autoimmune conditions.
Sometimes, steroids are only taken on a short-term basis, but often they are taken for longer periods of time. Either way, they can cause mood effects such as:
- Depression and lethargy
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Agitation and irritability
- Tearfulness
- Indifference
- Restlessness and insomnia
- Confusion and distractibility
- Disorganised thoughts
Those feelings may alter rapidly, and can be triggered without any obvious reason. Some steroids have even been linked with serious issues like dementia, delusions and psychotic disorders.
Mood-related side effects from steroid use can occur at any time when taking the drugs and they can occur even if you have never before had a mental health problem.
The good news is that mood changes caused by steroids typically go away after stopping taking the medication. But it’s important to only discontinue these drugs gradually as side effects can occur if you suddenly stop taking them.
How Can You Cope With Mood Changes Due To Steroid Use?
Although experiencing mood changes when taking steroids can be challenging, the good news is that there are ways of dealing with them.
As a health coach in London, I can suggest a number of helpful solutions that can make coping with anxiety and other mood-related issues. Some excellent non-prescription options for dealing more effectively with steroid-related anxiety include:
- Meditation
- Breathing techniques
- Developing effective bedtime routines
- Taking more exercise
- Using energy for positive purposes such as preparing meals or cleaning
As a health coach from home in London, I can offer you beneficial courses and programmes tailored to meet your unique needs.
Not only can I help you improve your overall level of fitness through a bespoke diet and exercise programme so that you can boost your natural wellbeing and combat your mood swings, but I can also help you to implement long-term change in your life by working closely with you to determine the difficulties that you’re facing – and finding the best ways to approach and overcome them.
Although coping with mood issues can be challenging, with the right approach and the right help and guidance, it is something that you can tackle effectively and emerge successfully with a more positive state of mind.
