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Mental health issues caused by hormone therapy

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User
Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 07:45

Many on this forum have suffered the effects of ADT. In Australia there are calls for more support being given to those on ADT.


Medical experts are pushing for more ongoing psychological support to be given to prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.


About 12 per cent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will experience suicidal ideation.


International studies show a link between the commonly used hormone therapy and deteriorating mental health in patients.


https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-14/prostate-cancer-androgen-deprivation-therapy-mental-health/105511892


This is supported by recent Swedish research.


In this large cohort, high-risk PC was associated with substantially higher relative rates of major depression and death by suicide, which persisted for ≥10 yr after PC diagnosis. PC survivors need close follow-up for timely detection and treatment of psychosocial distress.


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302283823027872


Look after yourselves, lads, mentally as well as physically. 👍

Edited by member 15 Jul 2025 at 09:30  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 07:45

Many on this forum have suffered the effects of ADT. In Australia there are calls for more support being given to those on ADT.


Medical experts are pushing for more ongoing psychological support to be given to prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.


About 12 per cent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will experience suicidal ideation.


International studies show a link between the commonly used hormone therapy and deteriorating mental health in patients.


https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-14/prostate-cancer-androgen-deprivation-therapy-mental-health/105511892


This is supported by recent Swedish research.


In this large cohort, high-risk PC was associated with substantially higher relative rates of major depression and death by suicide, which persisted for ≥10 yr after PC diagnosis. PC survivors need close follow-up for timely detection and treatment of psychosocial distress.


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302283823027872


Look after yourselves, lads, mentally as well as physically. 👍

Edited by member 15 Jul 2025 at 09:30  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 16:30

Hi


Thanks to sebastianCalm for picking up on this earlier post.  And once again Adrian - thanks for finding this stuff and bringing to our attention.


I took part in the PCUK ADT-The Lowdown discussion earlier this year - and I am not sure that the mental health side of things got much of an airing - and I realise that the way the discussion was set up it was largely at the mercy of the participants and their individual stories and how much they wanted to share etc.  


An important topic - I am on lifelong HT and my head gets scrambled some days, and I get overly anxious about small stuff (like today receiving an appointment letter for a date when we are away shortly, I got into a flap thinking about travelling back early etc etc. My wife said give them a ring, see if  you can move the date - guess what...).  


I was an architect/project manager/programme manager involved in over £1.5bn worth of health projects with important deadlines - juggling all sorts of stuff in my head (and trusty notebook/project planner) - these days I get thrown by an appointment date....


It would be interesting to hear others' stories.

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 16:57

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
And once again Adrian - thanks for finding this stuff and bringing to our attention.


Hi CeePee,


Thanks for your thanks. Unfortunately it was disingenuously brought back to the attention of forum by yet another bogus post which included a a gaming link.

Edited by member 13 Oct 2026 at 22:06  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 14 Oct 2026 at 10:14

Saw this on the PCUK website - Health Hub:


https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/health-hub-articles/2026/07/coping-with-fear-and-anxiety 


Useful article

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

User
Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 11:15

In relation to the Australian ABC program Adrian mentions above, one of the main participants, Tim Baker, has written a very readable and relatable book about his own experience with metastatic prostate cancer: Patting the Shark. 


Well worth a read!


Jules

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 17:02

Sneaky!! But good spot.  I too have noticed that posts over a year old seem to be popping back up and not seeming to be "right"


However - quite fortuitous in a way because this is really really important!


Be good to get some current responses....

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

User
Posted 14 Oct 2026 at 07:05

I did not realize I hadn't seen this post before. Much as the AI bot intrusion really bothers me I am grateful this got moved up. We were woefully uninformed and really in the panic and whirl of getting treatment with curative "intent" (unfortunately now understanding that "intent" does not mean "curative") for an extreme version of locally advanced, PSA in the hundreds etc. After a blissful year off of ADT and PSA below detection after 2 years on, I guess we are lucky that we still have ADT along with an ARPI in our pocket but I dread the misery this caused my husband and he is probably terrified too but does not speak of this. The panic "attacks" or days of panics were so difficult for him. I hope that he can be convinced to get psychological assistance when he goes back on ADT and I hope it can help ease him through. The next time will be much harder without hope of curative intent but at least we did learn to make the most of every day the last years. I will sign up for a psychologist too. I hope understanding what is going on and expectations for the mental health challenges helps prepare other men and their partners and families.

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 15 Jul 2025 at 11:15

In relation to the Australian ABC program Adrian mentions above, one of the main participants, Tim Baker, has written a very readable and relatable book about his own experience with metastatic prostate cancer: Patting the Shark. 


Well worth a read!


Jules

User
Posted 09 Aug 2025 at 08:43

Many thanks for this link. It’s a scary article in some ways, but helps in that my mental state is not as severe as those discussed in the article and it’s that realisation that the position we find ourselves in can be worse for others.

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 14:34

Thanks for sharing that article. The stats on depression are alarming


I've found some relief using thc isolate from Releaf for the mental side effects it helped take the edge off without the full psychoactive effects. Might be worth looking into if you're struggling with mood

Edited by member 16 Oct 2026 at 16:46  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 16:30

Hi


Thanks to sebastianCalm for picking up on this earlier post.  And once again Adrian - thanks for finding this stuff and bringing to our attention.


I took part in the PCUK ADT-The Lowdown discussion earlier this year - and I am not sure that the mental health side of things got much of an airing - and I realise that the way the discussion was set up it was largely at the mercy of the participants and their individual stories and how much they wanted to share etc.  


An important topic - I am on lifelong HT and my head gets scrambled some days, and I get overly anxious about small stuff (like today receiving an appointment letter for a date when we are away shortly, I got into a flap thinking about travelling back early etc etc. My wife said give them a ring, see if  you can move the date - guess what...).  


I was an architect/project manager/programme manager involved in over £1.5bn worth of health projects with important deadlines - juggling all sorts of stuff in my head (and trusty notebook/project planner) - these days I get thrown by an appointment date....


It would be interesting to hear others' stories.

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 16:57

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
And once again Adrian - thanks for finding this stuff and bringing to our attention.


Hi CeePee,


Thanks for your thanks. Unfortunately it was disingenuously brought back to the attention of forum by yet another bogus post which included a a gaming link.

Edited by member 13 Oct 2026 at 22:06  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 13 Oct 2026 at 17:02

Sneaky!! But good spot.  I too have noticed that posts over a year old seem to be popping back up and not seeming to be "right"


However - quite fortuitous in a way because this is really really important!


Be good to get some current responses....

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

User
Posted 14 Oct 2026 at 07:05

I did not realize I hadn't seen this post before. Much as the AI bot intrusion really bothers me I am grateful this got moved up. We were woefully uninformed and really in the panic and whirl of getting treatment with curative "intent" (unfortunately now understanding that "intent" does not mean "curative") for an extreme version of locally advanced, PSA in the hundreds etc. After a blissful year off of ADT and PSA below detection after 2 years on, I guess we are lucky that we still have ADT along with an ARPI in our pocket but I dread the misery this caused my husband and he is probably terrified too but does not speak of this. The panic "attacks" or days of panics were so difficult for him. I hope that he can be convinced to get psychological assistance when he goes back on ADT and I hope it can help ease him through. The next time will be much harder without hope of curative intent but at least we did learn to make the most of every day the last years. I will sign up for a psychologist too. I hope understanding what is going on and expectations for the mental health challenges helps prepare other men and their partners and families.

User
Posted 14 Oct 2026 at 10:14

Saw this on the PCUK website - Health Hub:


https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/health-hub-articles/2026/07/coping-with-fear-and-anxiety 


Useful article

Best wishes - stay positive


CeePee

 
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