RNS, Steroids, April 2005
1:48
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2005/hmsteroids.htm
‘ Roid rage, depression and suicide: U-M addiction expert warns of dangers of teen steroid use
Suggested Lead— Suspicions of steroid use are clouding Major League Baseball at the start of its 2005 season, but a bigger problem than the image of the national pastime is the health impact of anabolic steroids on adolescents. Here is Erin Block with more.
Dr. Kirk Brower, M.D., executive director of the Chelsea Arbor Addiction Treatment Center cautions that young people may think steroids are safe when they hear of their sports idols taking them. In reality, the risks of steroid use can include serious and sometimes irreversible physical effects, such as an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as several intense psychiatric effects.
Brower says,
“Anabolic steroids can have profound psychiatric effects; major mood swings ranging from mania to depression and during the depression, people can develop suicidal thoughts and behaviors. There's also irritability and aggression that can occur, what users sometimes refer to as ‘roid rage.' In addition, people can become delusional, paranoid delusions, grandiose delusions and finally, addiction can occur to anabolic steroids.”
It can be difficult to detect when young athletes are using steroids because some of the things to look for, such as mood swings and weight gain are typical of all adolescents. But with suicide as the third-leading cause of death, adolescents taking steroids are at an even higher risk of harming themselves, making it especially important for parents to be on the lookout for any warning signs.
Brower says that extreme mood swings and rapid weight gain can be signs of steroid use as well as acne.
Brower also notes,
“Other signs that people may look for is that steroid use is usually associated with very intense dietary training, as well as weight training, almost to an obsessive degree.”
So what can parents do if they suspect that their son or daughter is using anabolic steroids? Brower suggests having an open dialogue about steroid or other drug use even before it gets to the point of any suspicion. He also notes that adolescents may be less willing to talk about their own use, but willing to talk about use by other people, so sometimes asking about others, but not being accusatory is a good place to start.
Erin Block, U-M Health System News |
Additional
PRMC Info
