title: A PSYCHIATRIST'S PERSPECTIVES ON STRESS, STEROIDS AND MENTAL ILLNESS.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Magdolna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunai
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D008016:Life Change Events; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids