Prednisone and Mood Swings

People who have been prescribed prednisone may have experienced one of this medication's most troublesome and talked-about side effects—mood swings.

These changes can be so problematic that someone on prednisone who's ever been diagnosed with clinical depression or another psychiatric disorder may need to work with a psychiatrist while on the drug.

Regardless of mental health history, if a healthcare provider wants to prescribe prednisone, it may help to have an understanding of how it may affect mood.

This article discusses the link between prednisone and mood swings, and provides tips to help you manage mood swings when using prednisone.

Illustration by Hilary Allison for Verywell Health

Prednisone and Mood Swings

Prednisone is a corticosteroid prescribed to relieve inflammation in the body. Some of the conditions that prednisone is used to treat include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), some autoimmune diseases, asthma, and other allergic disorders. It's an effective drug, it's inexpensive, and it's prescribed a lot for many conditions.

A person may need to take prednisone for only a short amount of time (often called a "short course") or it may be prescribed for an extended period. In either case, it can have effects on mood which have been described as everything from euphoria to anxiety, anger, and depression.

These feelings can pinball back and forth in quick succession and seem to come about irrationally (for no reason) and without provocation. In other words, a person receiving prednisone may find themselves feeling incredibly sad or mad and have absolutely no idea why.

Prednisone has been associated with more serious problems such as psychotic disorders, delusions, and dementia.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

When there's a concern that mood changes limit life activities or seem dangerous in any way, the problem should be reported to a healthcare provider right away.

Changes in mood caused by prednisone usually go away once a person stops taking the drug. If a change in treatment is necessary, discontinuing prednisone must be done gradually and according to the schedule that is prescribed by a healthcare provider.

The adrenal glands make cortisol, a substance similar to prednisone and, they need to be allowed to take over production again. If not, there can be side effects such as fatigue, or there can be complications.

Coping With Prednisone Mood Swings

Not everybody has mood changes while taking prednisone, and most of the time the effects are considered "mild" (though it might not feel that way at the time). Knowing that mood swings are a possibility and that they can be variable is the first step in coping with them.

The second step is learning how to recognize when they happen and understanding that they're not necessarily connected to an event. Here are some tips for coping:

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about the potential for mood swings, and find out what to do if there are changes in behavior that are extreme or that interfere with daily activities (such as work, school, and social events).
  • Tell family members and friends about prednisone, and that a common side effect is rapid mood changes that may seem random or irrational at times. This can help aid in their understanding should any mood swings occur.
  • Be prepared to use stress relief tools (e.g., meditation, mindfulness, calming rituals) to be one step ahead of the game if they're needed.
  • Do regular check-ins on your current emotional state. Are there feelings that seem outsized compared to what's actually happening? If it's not clear, check in with a trusted friend or loved one for perspective.

Summary

Mood swings are a possible side effect of prednisone and can vary from euphoria to anxiety, anger, and depression. In many cases, mood swings can occur rapidly and may seem irrational. If you are uncomfortable with the mood swings you are experiencing, talk to your healthcare provider about adjusting your dose. You may also find that stress relief practices like meditation, and regular check-ins with a trusted friend can help you cope with this prednisone side effect.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Amber J. Tresca

By Amber J. Tresca
Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.