What are mood swings?
Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts in our emotional state that can go from feeling positive and upbeat in one moment to feeling irritated, sad, or anxious the next. They involve intense emotions that often seem out of proportion to the situation at hand.
We all experience some mood variability from time to time. But when mood shifts happen frequently and intensely enough to impact daily life, it may indicate an underlying mental health issue like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
What causes mood swings?
There are a few potential culprits behind rapid mood changes:
- Hormonal fluctuations - Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol impact mood regulation. Changes related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or other endocrine system activity can trigger swings.
- Stress - High stress depletes our capacity to manage emotions. Too much stress can make us overreact to small upsets.
- Lack of sleep - Insufficient sleep reduces emotional control and makes mood swings more likely. Most adults need 7-9 hours per night.
- Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, neurodegenerative disease, stroke, and nutrient deficiencies like Vitamin B12 or Iron deficiency can trigger mood instability.
- Medication side effects - Some prescription drugs, herbal remedies, and recreational substances can cause rapid mood shifts.
- Mental health disorders - Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often involve intense mood swings.
How to manage mood swings
Strategies for coping with rapid emotional shifts include:
- Tracking your mood - use a journal or app to spot patterns
- Reducing stress - practice relaxation skills, get organized
- Improving sleep habits - stick to a routine, limit electronics before bed
- Exercise and healthy eating - take care of your body
- Talk therapy - work through what triggers your mood shifts
- Medication - ask a doctor if stabilizing medication could help
The bottom line? Occasional mood swings are normal. But if your emotional rollercoaster starts heavily impacting your quality of life, relationships, or daily functioning, seek support from a mental health professional at Rebalance Clinic. With the right care strategies, many people find relief.