Mood swings refer to rapid and extreme changes in mood that can occur without an apparent reason. They can involve sudden shifts from feeling happy or content to feeling sad, irritable, or angry.
Usually, the mood can change depending on the situation, such as a stressful event at work or at school. But, if they were so intense and affected daily life including work and relationships for several weeks or longer, this could be a sign of an underlying condition requiring treatment.
What causes mood swings?
The causes of mood swings can be divided into two types, internal and external.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations particularly estrogen, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can lead to mood swings. In the female body, it can be a hormonal imbalance which means a high/low level of estrogen and/or progesterone.
Stress and anxiety: Due to some events in life a high level of stress or anxiety can disrupt emotional stability and trigger mood swings.
Sleep disturbances: Lack of quality sleep or sleep disorders can impact mood regulation and lead to mood swings.
Substance abuse: The use of drugs, alcohol, or certain medications at a certain age can affect brain chemistry and cause mood swings.
Medications: Not only medications like mood stabilizers and antidepressants expected to affect a person’s mood, but also the medications prescribed for other issues can cause mood swings as side effects such as thyroid disorders, neurological conditions, or chronic pain, can be associated with mood swings.
Genes: If someone from your family has a mood disorder whether it’s depression or bipolar disorder, there’s a high chance that you might have a mood disorder, which means that mood disorders are more likely inherited.
Environmental factors: distributive events in life like childhood trauma, the death of a close person, or consecutive stressful situations at school or work, can be a significant factor in developing a mood disorder later on in life.
Mood disorder treatment
In general, mood swings are treated by medications and psychotherapy.
It’s important to note that the choice of a specific medication depends on factors such as the individual’s diagnosis, symptom severity, medical history, and potential side effects.
Each medication has its benefits and risks, and the selection should be made in consultation with a psychiatrist or healthcare provider.
Mood stabilizers: they immediately treat symptoms of manic and depressive episodes, and help prevent people from experiencing these episodes in the future, such as lithium and anticonvulsants.
Antipsychotics: or neuroleptics, are usually used to treat psychosis, including schizophrenia.
Antidepressants: are a class of medications used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and addiction.
Psychotherapy and mood swings
Psychotherapy can be a helpful approach to managing mood swings. The specific type of psychotherapy that may be effective can vary depending on the underlying causes and individual needs.
Here are a few common approaches that can be beneficial:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mood swings. It helps individuals develop coping skills and strategies to manage their emotions more effectively.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that combines elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques. It can be particularly useful for individuals experiencing intense mood swings, as it focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT concentrates on improving relationships and social functioning. It explores how interpersonal conflicts and difficulties can contribute to mood swings and aims to enhance communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
Strategies to help you deal with mood swings
- Seek professional help: If mood swings are severe, persistent, or interfering with your daily life, it’s important to consult a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation and guidance.
- Build a healthy lifestyle: Engage in regular exercise, eat a balanced diet, and ensure sufficient sleep. These factors can positively impact mood stability.
- Learn to manage your stress: Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or hobbies that you enjoy.
- Build a support network: Try to find a support group, where people talk about this mental disorder so that you can avoid feeling lonely. Consider therapy or counseling: any type of therapy can be useful in this case, answering questions about your life and your childhood can help you understand the reality of the issue.