A Psychiatrist's Perspectives on Stress, Steroids and Mental Illness
Dunai, M.
Ideggyogyaszati Szemle 67(3-4): 113-115
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-1442 PMID: 26118252 Document Number: 678836
The relationship between stress and mental illness has been extensively studied and there is a growing consensus that the occurrence of mental illness rather depends on a combination of factors than is caused by stressful external events. Significant hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis abnormalities were observed among others in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. In both disorders, the extent of change in cortisol level was related to the severity of illness and to cognitive changes. Exogenous use of synthetic steroids also frequently resulted in severe psychiatric symptoms. In conclusion changes in the level of steroid hormones may cause impairments in the brain.