Symptom 9: Mood Swings and Depression
Life is inherently full of ups and downs. However, for someone grappling with Cushing’s syndrome, these emotional undulations can be significantly amplified. One moment they might be on top of the world, and the next, plunged into the depths of despair. These aren’t just your garden-variety mood swings but dramatic shifts that can be bewildering not just for the individual, but also for those around them.
Cortisol, often dubbed the ‘stress hormone’, has a profound influence on our emotional landscape. In the short term, it helps us cope with immediate threats. But when this hormone overstays its welcome, the brain reacts in unpredictable ways. Excess cortisol can tamper with neurotransmitters – the brain’s chemical messengers – potentially leading to depressive episodes or exacerbating existing mental health conditions.
It’s not just the mood swings. People with Cushing’s syndrome often describe a feeling of living in a fog. Their cognitive functions, like memory and concentration, get muddled. Routine tasks become herculean challenges. This cognitive cloudiness, when combined with emotional upheavals, creates a life of uncertainty and unpredictability.
These emotional and cognitive shifts don’t operate in isolation. They trigger a domino effect, impacting relationships, work, and daily activities. Imagine the strain of constantly explaining why you snapped for no apparent reason or why you forgot something crucial. The guilt, the self-doubt, and the constant self-monitoring can be mentally exhausting.(9)
