Are Mood Swings a Common Symptom of Prostate Cancer?

Mood swings are not usually a direct symptom of prostate cancer itself. Emotional changes are more commonly related to the stress of the diagnosis, the impact of treatments, and changes in hormones rather than the tumor. ^[1] People often experience disbelief, fear, anger, or sadness around the time of diagnosis, which can feel like mood swings. ^[1]

What Typically Causes Mood Changes

• Cancer diagnosis stress: It’s common to feel anxious, worried, or depressed when facing prostate cancer, which can cause day‑to‑day mood fluctuation. ^[2] These feelings are normal responses to serious illness and uncertainty. ^[3]
• Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy, ADT): Treatments that lower testosterone (GnRH/LHRH agonists or antagonists) can cause hot flashes, tiredness, and mood changes such as anxiety, depression, and apathy. ^[4] These mood changes can emerge over weeks or months as treatment progresses. ^[5]
• Radiation or surgery recovery: Fatigue, pain, sexual side‑effect concerns, and changes in daily routine can contribute to irritability and low mood. Anxiety and depression are recognized during radiation therapy and recovery. ^[6] Emotional distress is also noted after surgery and throughout recovery and support services. ^{[7] [8]}

How Common Is It?

Mood changes are common in people undergoing cancer care, including prostate cancer, due to the psychological and physical burden. While not everyone experiences marked mood swings, many report anxiety, low mood, irritability, or emotional ups and downs during treatment. ^[2] Hormone therapy specifically lists mood changes as a known side effect. ^[5]

When to Seek Help

• Persistent low mood, loss of interest, or hopelessness could be signs of depression and should be discussed with your care team. Supportive counseling, psychotherapy, and, when appropriate, medications can help. ^[1]
• Anxiety that interferes with sleep, daily function, or treatment adherence also deserves timely attention. Support services are designed to address these needs. ^[9]

Practical Ways to Manage Mood Changes

• Talk with your care team early: Let your clinicians know about mood changes; they can tailor care, adjust treatments, and offer resources such as counseling or medications if needed. ^{[10] [1]}
• Psychotherapy and counseling: Psychotherapy is often an important part of recovery, and referrals are available; couples therapy can help address intimacy and relationship concerns. ^{[7] [9]}
• Support programs: Comprehensive recovery and support services address physical, psychological, and social changes, including sexual rehabilitation and education. ^[8]
• Energy and routine management: Fatigue can worsen mood; planning activities for times of higher energy, pacing, and prioritizing essentials can help stabilize mood. ^[6]
• Stress‑coping skills: Open communication with family or trusted friends, relaxation exercises, and creative or physical activities can reduce distress and improve mood. These approaches are encouraged across cancer care settings. ^{[3] [11]}
• Discuss hormonal side effects: If you’re on hormone therapy, ask about strategies for managing mood changes and whether adjustments are possible. ^[4] Your oncologist can review options and supportive treatments. ^[12]

Treatment-Specific Considerations

• Hormone therapy (ADT): Expect possible mood changes, hot flashes, and fatigue; team-based care can help identify and manage these early, sometimes with medications or by modifying the treatment plan. ^{[5] [10]}
• Radiation therapy: Anxiety and depression are recognized during prostate radiation, and fatigue management plus emotional support can make a meaningful difference. ^{[6] [2]}
• Post-surgery recovery: Emotional reactions, intimacy concerns, and distress can occur; structured recovery programs and counseling are available to support adjustment. ^{[7] [8]}

Quick Reference: Causes and Supports

Area	What may happen	How to manage
Diagnosis stress	Anxiety, fear, sadness	Counseling, open communication, relaxation strategies, support services [1] [2] [3]
Hormone therapy (ADT)	Mood changes (anxiety, depression, apathy), hot flashes, fatigue	Report symptoms early, consider medications/supportive therapies, review treatment options with oncologist [5] [4] [10] [12]
Radiation therapy	Fatigue, anxiety/depression	Plan activities around energy, symptom management, emotional support resources [6] [2]
Surgery recovery	Distress, intimacy concerns	Psychotherapy, sexual rehabilitation, couples therapy, education programs [7] [8] [9]

Bottom Line

• Mood swings aren’t a hallmark symptom of prostate cancer itself, but mood changes are common during the journey due to diagnosis stress and treatment effects especially with hormone therapy that lowers testosterone. ^{[1] [5]}
• You don’t have to navigate this alone; care teams provide counseling, coping tools, and medical options to help manage mood and improve quality of life. ^{[7] [8] [9]}