Abstract

Objective: To explore the association between irrational use of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) and its psychological consequences particularly focusing on the method of administration.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 120 athletes participated, selected through purposive sampling technique. Of these, 67 were using injectable forms of AAS, while 53 were using tablets. The data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using an Urdu translated version of symptoms checklist, while Intensity of anger was measured using the Novaca Anger Inventory. Suicide tendencies were assessed using Beck Suicide Scale.
Results: We found that 52.5% bodybuilders preferred testosterone as their AAS of choice, surpassing the usage of other steroids. A substantial portion of athletes (47.5%) acquired these substances based on recommendations from their friends and peers. Athletes utilizing AAS in tablet form had significantly higher scores on the Beck Suicidal Inventory compared to those using injectable forms.
Conclusion: Bodybuilders consuming steroids in tablet form demonstrated significantly higher scores across various psychopathological dimensions such as Somatization, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and interpersonal problems, Depression, Anxiety, Phobia, Paranoid, Psychoticism and General Severity Index. These findings suggest a potential association between the method of ASS administration and diverse psychopathological outcomes among the participants.

Key words: Anabolic androgenic, psychological distress, bodybuilder.