What is mood swings?
Mood swings are common and normal emotional shifts that most people experience. We all have ups and downs in how we feel day to day or even hour to hour. Moodiness is a part of being human!
What defines mood swings?
- Mood swings involve intense emotions that can change quickly, sometimes within minutes or hours.
- They go beyond typical moodiness to more extreme highs and lows.
- While mood swings are common, extreme mood swings may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition if they:
- Happen frequently with intense highs and lows
- Interfere with daily life and relationships
- Involve dangerous behavior during mood episodes
- Temporary mood swings can be caused by life events, hormones, medications, lack of sleep, etc.
What causes mood swings?
Some common culprits behind mood swings include:
- Stress - Stressful events, pressures, and daily hassles can easily throw off mood.
- Hormones - Hormonal changes related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, thyroid issues, and menopause may trigger mood swings.
- Medications - Certain medications may have mood fluctuations as side effects.
- Health conditions - Thyroid disorders, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and autism often involve mood instability.
- Mental health disorders - Conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder include significant mood disruptions.
- Lifestyle factors - Inadequate sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse can worsen mood.
How to manage mood swings
Strategies to help handle mood swings when they arise:
- Identify triggers to avoid
- Use relaxation and mindfulness techniques
- Get regular exercise and quality sleep
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
- Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs
- Reach out for social support
- Try journaling to process emotions
- Seek professional help if needed
Learning to ride out intensified mood episodes takes practice. But over time, lifestyle changes and coping strategies can help stabilize mood. If extreme highs and lows persist, consult your doctor or a mental health professional at Vibrant Life. With the right treatment plan, relief from disruptive mood swings is possible!