Understanding Mood Swings
By
Medicover Hospitals /
26 Feb 2021
A sudden change in mood or emotional state. Mood swings can be normal and are only an indicator of the underlying illness when feelings become excessive, consuming, and interfering with daily life.
Mood swings are excessive or sudden changes in your state of mind. Your mood can suddenly change from elation and euphoria to extreme sadness or dread, then to another emotion. Sometimes, mood swings are reactions to your surroundings or situation, although the intensity of the mood may seem out of proportion to the significance of the event. In other cases, mood swings may occur for no apparent reason.
It is believed that moods result from an interplay of chemicals in the brain, the cause of mood swings is not known, but they may be related to imbalances of these chemicals.
Mood swings can occur as a symptom of psychiatric disorders, such as Bipolar disorder: or borderline personality disorder, or they can be the result of a medical condition that directly affects the central nervous system, such as dementia, neurological disorders. Brain tumors, meningitis, and strokes. Mood swings can also result from conditions that deprive the brain of nutrients and oxygen, such as lung and cardiovascular disease. Substance abuse, side effects of medications, and hormonal changes are other potential causes of mood swings.
Academic, professional, financial, legal, and relationship problems can result from mood swings.
Mood swings can be symptoms of serious and even life-threatening conditions. Seek immediate medical attention for the crisis; serious injury; or threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior.
If your mood swings persist, get worse, worry you, or lead to academic, professional, or relationship problems, seek medical attention promptly.
Causes
Common Causes of Mood Swings:
Often, lifestyle factors play a role in causing mood swings. People can have sudden changes in a mood if they are:
- experience a significant life change, such as moving or changing jobs
- feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- not getting enough sleep
- do not eat healthily
- taking medications that affect mood or sleep
Regular and severe mood swings, however, can indicate an underlying condition. Some conditions that cause mood swings can affect both men and women, while some only affect women.
Mood swings in men and women:
Common mood disorders that affect either sex include:
Bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar disorder occurs when a person experiences periods of extreme emotional highs and lows (mania) and depression. These ups and downs can happen infrequently or several times a year.
Major depressive disorder (MDD):
- MDD affects more than 16.1 million adults in the United States and is more common in women than in men. People with MDD experience persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in the things they usually love.
- Depression affects a person's mood, daily life, and relationships. Most people with depression experience several episodes of a bad mood in their lifetime. However, they can have periods of happiness and good humor in between.
Cyclothymia:
- Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, occurs when a person experiences emotional ups and downs. It is similar to bipolar disorder but is less serious and less common.
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD):
- This form of depression was formerly known as dysthymia. People with PDD experience long-term bad mood feelings that persist for at least 2 years.
- The signs of PDD are not as severe as those of MDD, but they can have a significant impact on a person's life and relationships. The disease affects about 1.5% of adults in the United States each year.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):
- A person with BPD may experience intense mood swings and self-image problems, and they may have difficulty managing their behavior. People with BPD have an intense fear of abandonment and tend to have unstable relationships.
- According to some studies, 5.9% of people will suffer from BPD at some point in their life.
Other mental health issues:
- Other mental health conditions that can contribute to mood swings include:
-
Schizophrenia: People with schizophrenia have hallucinations or delusions that cause them to experience an altered state of reality. Schizophrenia has a significant impact on the quality of life.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD): Children and adults with ADHD may have trouble dealing with their emotions, resulting in mood swings. Other signs include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention.
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Mood Disruptive Deregulatory Disorder (DMDD): DMDD is a childhood illness in which the person experiences intense mood swings, including anger, extreme irritability, and temper tantrums. These signs must persist for 12 months or more for a diagnosis of DMDD.
Substance misuse or abuse:
- Excessive alcohol or drug use can affect mental health and lead to significant mood swings.
Physical health conditions:
- Physical health problems, especially chronic or terminal illnesses, can have a major effect on a person's mood. These changes can be direct (through alterations in hormones or brain function) or indirect (through the onset of depression or anxiety).
- Here are some examples of physical ailments that can lead to mood swings:
Causes of mood swings in women:
Hormonal changes can lead to dramatic mood swings. Women are more prone to signs of hormonal changes than men, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Common causes of mood swings in women include:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS):
- PMS causes many signs just before your period starts. These include:
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Depression
- Tired
- Cravings
- Over 90% of women report experiencing some signs of PMS.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD):
- PMDD is a more severe form of PMS. It affects up to 5% of women of childbearing age. It often occurs with depression or anxiety.
- Signs include extreme mood swings, persistent irritability or anger, and depression or anxiety. It also causes physical signs similar to those of PMS.
Mood swings during pregnancy:
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause sudden mood changes and feelings of anxiety and vulnerability. Physical changes can also influence a woman's emotions.
- These mood swings may be more noticeable during the first trimester and level off once the body adjusts to fluctuating hormone levels. However, some women will experience mood swings throughout their pregnancy.
Menopause:
- Menopause is a natural life transition where a person's menstrual cycles end. This usually happens to women aged 40 to 58, but the average age is 51.
- According to the North American Menopause Society, up to 23% of women experience mood swings during or after menopause. Other signs include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and loss of sex drive.
Treatment
It is possible to stabilize your mood and improve your health to avoid future changes in mood and emotions. The following treatments for mood changes focus on lifestyle or alternative treatments that you can try at home. Other treatments, including prescription drugs, are sometimes used.
Exercise regularly:
Movement and exercise are great for your physical and mental health. They can also help you treat or prevent mood swings. When you exercise, your body produces feel-good hormones and endorphins that can help relieve stress and boost mood. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar:
These stimulants and depressants can alter your natural state, make mood swings worse, or cause them in the first place. Of course, caffeine can make you feel less tired, but it can also make you feel more nervous and nervous.
Alcohol is a depressant that can make a bad mood worse or cause you to behave irrationally. Sweet foods, while delicious, can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. These fluctuations can cause mood swings and other symptoms. Cut back on all three foods as much as you can to maintain a stable mood.
Try calcium supplements:
Studies suggest that calcium supplements may help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and emotional fluctuation in PMS. In one study, participants were given 500 milligrams of calcium per day for 2 months. After two periods, those who received the supplement had much less severe PMS symptoms.
In addition to helping with mood changes, calcium supplements can help protect bones from deterioration; this is especially important for women going through perimenopause. Talk to your doctor about which supplement is right for you.
Change your diet:
Eating large meals three times a day may be traditional, but smaller meals may be better for mood stability. This is because changes in blood sugar after large meals can contribute to emotional changes. Smaller meals, spread throughout the day, can help stabilize your blood sugar levels to avoid these extreme mood swings.
Practice stress management:
Stress and anxiety can worsen the symptoms of several conditions, including PMS. If you're worried, stressed, or stressed out, learning to deal with stress can help you avoid complications, including mood swings. Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga have been shown to help manage stress. Massage therapy or talk therapy can also be of great benefit.
Sleep better:
A good night's sleep can cure many ailments, including irritability and extreme mood swings. Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night. If that sounds too intimidating, try adding just an extra 30 minutes turning half an hour earlier than usual. When you have completed this, try adding 30 more minutes. The additional closing of the eye will add up healthily and beneficially.
When to visit a Doctor?
It is common to experience an occasional change in mood or to go through a short period of joy or blue. But if your behavior is unpredictable for several days or more, it may be a sign of something more serious.
You may feel grumpy one minute and happy the second. You can also have emotions that can harm your life.
For example, you can:
- being so aroused that you find yourself unable to control the urges to spend money, confront people, or engage in other uncontrollable or risky behavior
- feeling like you want to hurt yourself or end your life
- being unable to visit friends, get enough sleep, go to work, or even get out of bed
The tendencies for these types of mood swings can be symptoms of a more serious health problem. You need to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your feelings. They can work with you to find out why you are feeling this way and what you can do to resolve it.
