What is Mood Swings?
Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts or changes in one's emotional state or mood. We all experience fluctuations in our moods and emotions from time to time. However, some people experience more extreme, abrupt, and intense mood swings that can significantly impact their relationships, work, and overall well-being.
What causes mood swings?
There are several potential causes of mood swings, including:
- Hormonal changes: Shifts in hormones linked to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can trigger mood swings in some people.
- Stress: High stress levels may make some people more emotionally reactive and prone to mood swings. Both acute and chronic stress can play a role.
- Depression or bipolar disorder: Conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can involve extreme mood swings as a common symptom.
- Medications or drug use: Certain prescription medications, recreational drugs, and even some supplements may cause mood changes as a side effect.
- Physical factors: In some cases, factors like lack of quality sleep, poor diet, low blood sugar, thyroid problems, or chronic pain can contribute to mood instability.
What do mood swings feel like?
Mood swings can vary in severity but often involve a sudden emotional shift from feeling:
- Happy and energetic to feeling irritated, sad, or hopeless
- Calm and relaxed to feeling anxious, angry, or overwhelmed
The shifts generally occur without a clear external trigger and feel outside of one's control. The intensity and duration of the moods can vary significantly from person to person.
How to manage mood swings
If you frequently experience extreme or disruptive mood swings, there are some self-care tips that could help, including:
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Reducing stress
- Exercising regularly
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
- Tracking your moods and identifying triggers
- Speaking to a doctor or mental health professional at Rejuvenate Clinic
Learning to anticipate, cope with, and manage intense moods can help you minimize their impact and maintain balance. Support from professionals, self-care, lifestyle changes, and tracking mood patterns over time are all useful strategies.