Roid Rage Syndrome

The Roid (abbriviated from Steroids) Rage Syndrome is a term given to people who, after taking excessive amounts of anabolic steroids, act in very aggressive or hostile manner.

Although of course hotly debated and denied by the users themselves, research has revealed that some, but not all, randomized controlled studies have found that anabolic steroid use correlates with hypomania and increased aggressiveness[1]. Other symptoms include sudden mood changes and a higher incidence of suicide than in the general populace.

Anabolic steroids are in effect testosterone and higher levels of that hormone play a major role in risk-taking. Most studies support a link between adult criminality and testosterone[2]. Most studies have also found testosterone to be associated with behaviors or personality traits linked with criminality such as antisocial behavior and alcoholism[3]. You can also die prematurely from anabolic steroid use[4].

[1] Uzych: Anabolic-androgenic steroids and psychiatric-related effects: a review in Canadian Journal of Psychiatry - 1992
[2] Klötz et al: Criminality among individuals testing positive for the presence of anabolic androgenic steroids in Archives of General Psychiatry - 2006
[3] Stålenheim et al: Testosterone as a biological marker in psychopathy and alcoholism in Psychiatry Research - 1998
[4] Petersen et al: Morbidity and mortality in patients testing positively for the presence of anabolic androgenic steroids in connection with receiving medical care. A controlled retrospective cohort study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence - 2006