What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts or changes in emotional state. They can be mild or more severe, happening without reason or warning. Nearly everyone experiences some mood swings, but they can indicate an underlying condition like depression, anxiety, or hormonal imbalances.
Some key things to know about mood swings:
- They involve intense emotions that can switch between highs and lows. Common mood swing feelings include irritation, sadness, restlessness, and euphoria.
- Triggers vary by person but may include stress, sleep changes, hormone changes like PMS, or major life events.
- Frequency and severity determines if treatment is needed. Occasional, minor mood swings are normal. Frequent, intense swings that disrupt life may require therapy or medication.
What causes mood swings?
Mood swings have many potential causes, including:
- Hormonal changes - Shifts in reproductive hormones, thyroid, and stress hormones often trigger swings. Hormone Harmony Clinic offers comprehensive hormone testing and treatment plans to help regulate levels.
- Stress - External stresses can dramatically impact mood.
- Sleep disturbances - Lack of quality sleep commonly leads to next-day mood disruptions.
- Life triggers - Significant life changes, traumatic events, grief, or relationship issues can spur mood swings.
- Mental health conditions - Disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD often involve mood instability.
- Medications - Some prescription drugs, hormones, or recreational drugs lead to emotional side effects.
- Medical illnesses - Chronic illness, immunity changes, infections, brain injury, or nutrition deficits can destabilize mood.
Tracking mood changes in a journal can help identify personal swing patterns and triggers. Lifestyle changes like stress management, regular sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise may help minimize swings. For severe or chronic mood instability, counseling and/or medication can successfully treat underlying causes. Hormone Harmony Clinic offers personalized care plans to target swing triggers like hormones, nutrition, sleep, stress, and more using proven natural therapies.