Understanding Mood Swings
Mood swings are sudden changes in emotional state, from joy to sadness or dread. They can be normal but may indicate an underlying illness when they are excessive and interfere with daily life. Sometimes triggered by situations, mood swings can also occur without apparent reason.
Mood swings might result from chemical imbalances in the brain. They can be symptoms of psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, or medical conditions such as dementia, neurological disorders, brain tumors, meningitis, and strokes. Conditions depriving the brain of nutrients and oxygen, like lung and cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, medication side effects, and hormonal changes, can also cause mood swings.
Impacting various life aspects, mood swings can indicate serious conditions. Immediate medical attention is necessary for crises or suicidal behavior. A healthcare professional should promptly address persistent or worsening mood swings.
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Get A Second OpinionCommon Causes of Mood Swings
Often, lifestyle factors play a role in causing mood swings. People can have sudden changes in mood if they are:
- Experiencing a significant life change, such as moving or changing jobs
- Feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not eating 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
- 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.
Mental Health Conditions and Mood Swings
- 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.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Adults and children with ADHD may have trouble dealing with their emotions, resulting in mood swings. Other signs include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention.
- 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 and Mood Swings
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:
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Coronary Disease
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- HIV
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Stroke
- Thyroid Disorders
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
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): PMS causes many signs just before your period starts. These include:
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Depression
- Tiredness
- 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.
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Book an AppointmentTreatment for Mood swings
It's possible to stabilize your mood and improve your health to avoid future changes in mood and emotions. The following treatments focus on lifestyle or alternative methods you can try at home. Other treatments, including prescription drugs, are sometimes used.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is excellent for your physical and mental health. It can help treat or prevent mood swings by producing feel-good hormones and endorphins. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week.
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Sugar
These substances can alter your natural state and worsen mood swings. Caffeine can make you feel more anxious, alcohol is a depressant that can worsen your mood, and sugar can cause blood sugar fluctuations that lead to mood swings. Cut back on all three to maintain a stable mood.
Try Calcium Supplements
Calcium supplements may help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood swings, especially in PMS. In one study, participants took 500 milligrams of calcium daily for two months and experienced less severe PMS symptoms. Calcium also helps protect bones, necessary for women in perimenopause. Consult your doctor for the right supplement.
Change Your Diet
Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help stabilize blood sugar levels and avoid mood swings. Large meals can cause blood sugar changes that contribute to emotional fluctuations.
Practice Stress Management
Stress and anxiety can worsen mood swings. Managing stress through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, massage therapy, or talk therapy can help.
Sleep Better
A good night's sleep can reduce irritability and mood swings. Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night. If this seems daunting, start by adding 30 minutes to your current sleep schedule. Gradually increase this until you reach the recommended amount.
When to Visit a Doctor?
Occasional mood changes are normal, but if unpredictable behavior persists for several days, it may indicate a serious issue. See a doctor if you experience:
- Extreme mood swings: Rapid shifts from grumpy to happy.
- Impulsive behavior: Uncontrollable urges to spend money or confront people.
- Self-harm thoughts: Desires to hurt yourself or end your life.
- Functional impairment: Inability to visit friends, sleep, work, or get out of bed.
Preventions Tips for Mood swings
Identify and Release Negativity
- Track your moods: Note daily moods and negative thought patterns in a notebook.
- Identify issues: List troubling relationships, health issues, or financial difficulties.
- Release tension: Write down negative patterns and burn the paper, symbolizing the release of negativity.
Take a Moment to Relax
- Pause and breathe: When feeling a mood change, pause, take a deep breath, and focus on the present.
- Sensory focus: To distract from negative thoughts, concentrate on sensory details like breathing or the wind on your skin.
- Reflect rationally: If overwhelmed, sit and examine the event that changed your mood, and find a positive reaction.
Seek Balance
- Lifestyle assessment: Evaluate your lifestyle and identify areas for improvement:
- Exercise more
- Get adequate sleep
- Eat a balanced diet
- Address unhealthy habits: Taking control of unhealthy habits can positively impact your mood.
Try New Activities
- Stress management: Find alternative ways to handle stress, anger, and anxiety.
- Engage in enjoyable activities: Read a book, listen to music, try yoga, or take an improvisation class.
- Make positive changes: Ensure that you are making beneficial changes to shift focus from stressors.
Citations:
Mood swings: expressive speech animation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do girls have mood swings?
Researchers suspect that changes in the hormone estrogen are most likely to be to blame. In the days and weeks leading up to a period, a woman's estrogen levels rise and fall dramatically. They stabilize 1 to 2 days after the start of the period. These changes can affect mood and behavior.
2. What do mood swings feel like?
It's common to experience an occasional change in mood or to experience a short period of joy or sadness. 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.
3. Does depression make you have mood swings?
Mood swings are also common with depression, especially if left untreated. A person's mood can range from irritability to extreme sadness to an outburst of anger. People who are depressed can also have other signs, such as feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless.
4. How are mood swings related to depression?
Mood swings can be a symptom of depression. Individuals with depression may experience extreme emotional highs and lows, which can interfere with daily activities and relationships.
5. Can my diet affect my mood swings?
Yes, diet plays a significant role in mood regulation. Consuming a balanced diet with adequate nutrients helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which can reduce mood swings.
6. How does stress contribute to mood swings?
Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, which can cause emotional instability and lead to mood swings. Chronic stress can exacerbate these effects.
