It is common for steroid medicines like prednisone to make tempers shorter and feelings bigger. You are not broken. These effects are real, and they can be managed. If anger or irritability is starting to harm you or the people you love, there is help.

A moment from Arundhati Roy

Acclaimed author Arundhati Roy has spoken in the New York Times about how her mother’s severe asthma and steroid treatment shaped their family life. She describes how sudden anger and tenderness could sit side-by-side:

"My mother had an older sister who was very different from the rest of the family. She was married to a pilot who worked in Indian Airlines, and she had a proper house and a proper husband and proper children. Because this uncle of mine was a pilot, we had free tickets to get on a plane, which we had never been on. And on the plane, I asked my mother how come her sister was so much thinner than her. 

"My mother was a very severe asthmatic, and at the time she was on steroids and had become very overweight. She just turned on me in a fury and mimicked me. She had this way of mimicking my baby way of speaking, and that used to just rip through me. And then she said, By the time you’re my age, you’ll be three times my size. And, of course, very quickly, she said, I’m your mother and your father and I love you double. So you forgive her, and yet you’re shredded. That was the constant thing that you had to manage, that something would tear you up and then stitch you back together, then tear you up, then stitch you back together."

Stories like this are shared because they help us name something hard. Steroid treatment can save lives, and it can also stir up moods. Both can be true at once.

Why steroids can affect mood

Steroids change how our bodies handle stress, sleep, and blood sugar. This can lead to irritability, restlessness, feeling on edge, mood swings, or trouble thinking clearly. These effects are more likely at higher doses and often settle as the dose is lowered. If you notice this happening, it is not your fault. It is a known side effect.

What you might notice:

  • Snapping at loved ones, then feeling guilty
  • Feeling keyed up, restless, or unable to sleep
  • Thoughts racing, or feeling more anxious than usual
  • Mood changing quickly, sometimes within the same day
  • Feeling more sensitive to noise, light, or small frustrations

What helps right now

Name it out loud: say, "This is the steroids talking, not the real me." It helps create space to choose a response. 

Our article “It’s not me, it's the steroids” offers helpful advice, as does our article, “How to stay calm when steroids shake things up”.

A note for partners, parents, and friends

The person you love is still there. Steroids can make feelings louder and reactions faster. Try not to take sharp words as a reflection of how they truly feel. Encourage rest, steady meals, and calm routines. Set kind limits to keep everyone safe. If you are worried about your safety, trust your judgement and seek help right away.

Gentle reassurance

Struggling with irritability when on steroids does not make you a bad person. You are coping with a serious condition and a treatment that is messing with your brain. You deserve care while you heal. If things are getting too much, you do not have to carry it alone. Reach out and talk to your doctor if you need help.

For more compassionate guidance on managing steroid side effects and supporting your emotional well-being, click here.