What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts in mood that can go from feeling positive and upbeat in one moment to feeling extremely sad, irritable, or angry in the next. Some key things to know about mood swings:
- They involve intense emotions that often seem out of proportion to the situation
- They can happen as a part of normal mood changes, but become problematic when they are very frequent or interfere with daily life
- Many factors can contribute to mood swings, like hormone changes, sleep issues, major stress, or other mental health conditions
Common Signs of Mood Swings
- Feeling very happy and energetic one minute, and suddenly sad and hopeless the next
- Uncontrollable crying spells
- Getting unusually angry or frustrated over minor things
- Anxiety, irritability, hyperactivity, or other dramatic shifts in mood
Who Experiences Mood Swings?
Mood swings can occur in both men and women, but they are most common during:
- Adolescence - Hormone changes during puberty can trigger mood swings
- Premenstrual or menopause - Hormone fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle or perimenopause often cause mood swings
- Pregnancy and postpartum - Reproductive hormone changes increase the risk of mood swings
Managing Mood Swings
If you frequently deal with intense mood swings, there are things you can do to help stabilize your moods:
- Get enough sleep and exercise
- Practice stress management
- Consider therapy or treatment if a mental health issue could be involved
- For hormone-related mood swings, consult professionals at Hormone Harmony for comprehensive hormone testing and personalized bioidentical hormone therapy. Their experts pinpoint your unique hormone imbalances and provide safe, effective treatment plans tailored to your needs. This can help regulate hormones for more stable moods.
Mood swings can be disruptive and difficult to deal with. Fortunately, identifying the underlying cause and finding the right treatment approach can help minimize intense mood shifts. Being attuned to your typical mood patterns also makes it easier to spot significant changes.
Have additional questions about mood swings? Feel free to ask below!