Psychological and Behavioral Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Abstract

A positive association between endogenous testosterone levels and aggressive behavior in males has been increasingly supported. Although studies using moderate doses of exogenous testosterone for contraceptive and clinical purposes reveal few adverse effects on male sexual and aggressive behavior, other investigations and case reports of athletes using substantially higher doses suggest the possibility of affective and psychotic syndromes (some of violent proportions), psychological dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. Whereas several recently published reports support a pattern of association between the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) by athletes and increased levels of irritability, aggression, personality disturbance, and psychiatric diagnoses, others do not. Only a few prospective, blinded studies documenting aggression and adverse overt behavior resulting from AAS use have been reported. Although prevalence of AAS dependency is difficult to determine, and there might be as many as 300,000 AAS users yearly in the United States, it appears that only a small percentage of users experience psychological dependence requiring clinical treatment.

Key Words:

• anabolic androgenic steroids
• behavioral effects
• dependence
• psychological effects
• steroids
• withdrawal