Anabolic androgenic steroids and behavioural patterns among violent offenders

Abstract

Objective: the purpose of the study is to give an account of psychiatric symptoms, aggressiveness and violent behaviour among users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). The method used is retrospective evaluation based on information from forensic psychiatric evaluations (FPE), police reports and court records. Fourteen violent offenders were evaluated for current or previous use of AAS. The results suggest that AAS may produce violent behaviour and other mental disturbances, including psychosis. Besides previously described AAS-related violence, termed ‘roid rage’, two new patterns are described: (1) the cold-blooded executioner (‘Terminator’), and (2) the temporary AAS-user who takes the drug for the purpose of encouragement shortly before a criminal act (‘Stürmscknapps behaviour’). The effects of AAS on the central nervous system seem to be particularly detrimental to individuals with an inherent psychiatric disorder. It appears that use of AAS may lead to violent acts in vulnerable persons not only during current use but also after withdrawal.