STEROIDS (ANABOLIC) Introduction The popular

The popular usage of anabolic steroids makes necessary the study of their effects physically and psychologically. Study results indicate more than minor psychological changes in personality are found with AAS use. These effects can border on dangerousness, with demonstrations of aggressive and violent behavior, and need to be further investigated.

Cooper, Noakes, Dunne, Lambert, and Rochford (1996) studied the prevalence of abnormal personality traits found in chronic users of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). One of the authors became a participant-observer in a group of body builders. The experimental group were twelve body builders using high doses AAS for no more than 18 months; the control group never used AAS (self-report). An interview based on the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM3-R) personality disorder criteria was conducted for each subject with additional information from friends and family. Personality traits prior to AAS use were assessed retrospectively.

Prior to the mid-1970s, illicit use of AAS mainly involved highly trained athletes. Since that time, the majority of AAS usage has included recreational and non-competitive athletes and school children. Physical effects of AAS have been studied; the psychological effects are less understood. Studies that have been performed show psychiatric effects of AAS use to include paranoid schizotypal, antisocial, borderline,

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bolic steroids for weightlifters and bodybuilders and possible physical and psychological effects. The text, more than either study, reported physical effects to include the following: increased muscle mass and various internal organs, control of body fat distribution, and increased protein synthesis and bone calcium. Cooper, Noakes, Dunne, Lambert, and Rochford offer findings of abnormal personality traits resulting from AAS use, which the text makes only brief reference to. Corrigan furthers the text's discussion regarding psychological and psychiatric consequences. The text made note of personality changes found and the rage experienced by some steroid users. Corrigan expands the list of psychological changes and reports on the cases of two murders thought to be associated with AAS use. The text briefly mentioned AAS withdrawal and dependence possibilities, Corrigan supports and expounds on these conclusions with physiological and psychological explanations. Neither study reported as the text did, regarding additional physical concerns of steroid use such as baldness, acne, testes atrophy, breast development in men and loss in women. Conclusion The text reports on the use of anabolic steroids with a review of as

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