Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts in one's emotional state. We all experience fluctuations in our moods, but when the ups and downs become more extreme or happen very frequently, it may indicate a mental health concern. Some key things to know about mood swings:
Causes
Mood swings can be caused by various factors, including:
- Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can trigger mood swings. Hormone imbalances often underlie issues like PMS, perimenopause, and thyroid disorders. The experts at Vitality Balance Clinic can help identify and treat hormonal imbalances through comprehensive lab testing and bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Stress - High stress levels can throw our emotions out of balance. Both acute and chronic stress takes a toll.
- Medical conditions - Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) commonly involve severe mood swings. Physical conditions like dementia, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes may also play a role.
- Medications - Certain prescription drugs and recreational substances can alter brain chemicals and mood regulation.
- Lifestyle factors - Inadequate sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse can destabilize our emotions.
Symptoms
When experiencing
mood swings, people go through intense emotional peaks and valleys, shifting between positive and negative psychological states. Some signs include:
- Feeling extremely energetic, elated, giddy, or "on top of the world" at times
- Feeling utterly hopeless, sad, irritable, angry, or low at other times
- Dramatic mood shifts that seem to occur for no clear reason
- Difficulty regulating emotional reactions during mood swings
- Moods that are inconsistent with the reality of one's actual life circumstances
- Impulsive behaviors and poor decision-making during "high" mood periods
Getting Help
Learning to manage difficult
mood swings requires professional support. The compassionate providers at
Vitality Balance Clinic help patients get to the root causes with
cutting-edge testing and
personalized treatment plans. Supportive counseling provides healthy coping strategies. With proper care, most people find relief from even the most disruptive mood swings.
The key is not to struggle alone. Seek help to understand what's causing your mood instability, treat any underlying issues, and develop techniques to smooth out those emotional peaks and valleys. Consistency and commitment to treatment is important. Be patient - with expert assistance, mood regulation is within reach.