Which statement best helps a family understand mood changes associated with Cushing syndrome?

• A. He will need to take exogenous steroids for several months.
• B. His condition will indicate improvement when he gains weight.
• C. He may have mood swings or depression as a result of his illness.
• D. His physical changes are permanent but may improve with therapy.

Answer: (C)

Excess cortisol in Cushing syndrome can directly affect the brain and how a person feels. Cortisol influences mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and can disrupt sleep, leading to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression. Because these mood changes come from the hormonal imbalance, they often occur alongside the physical signs and can fluctuate with how well cortisol levels are controlled. Explaining this helps families understand that mood shifts are a consequence of the illness, not a character flaw, and they often improve when treatment lowers cortisol. The other statements don’t address why mood changes occur in Cushing syndrome; weight gain, permanence of physical changes, or the need for steroids in treatment don’t explain the mood aspect as clearly.