What is Pseudo Cushings?
Around 80% of patients with severe depression have abnormally regulated cortisol secretion which is thought to be mediated by increased hypothalamic secretion of CRH. The hormonal abnormalities described disappear with the remission of depression. Chronic alcoholism is an even more uncommon cause of pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome. The mechanism of hormonal abnormality may entail either increased CRH secretion or impaired hepatic metabolism of cortisol. Hormonal abnormalities disappear rapidly during abstinence from alcohol.
