What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unpredictable shifts in mood that can go from feeling very happy and upbeat in one moment to feeling very 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 day-to-day life
- Many factors can contribute to mood swings, like hormone changes, stress, sleep deprivation, drug/alcohol use, medical conditions, and major life events
What causes mood swings?
There are a variety of potential causes, including:
- Hormone fluctuations - Hormone changes related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, or hypothyroidism can trigger mood swings in some people. Hormone imbalances may play a role as well.
- Stress - High stress levels increase cortisol and activate the fight-or-flight response, which can lead to feeling agitated, anxious, or emotional.
- Sleep deprivation - Not getting enough sleep has been linked to difficult mood regulation.
- Medical conditions - Conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, diabetes, dementia, or Parkinson’s can involve mood swings.
- Medications - Some prescriptions and recreational drugs.
- Major life events - Big changes to routines, roles, or responsibilities can impact mood regulation.
How to manage mood swings
Strategies to help minimize frequency and impact of mood swings:
- Get enough sleep
- Practice stress management
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid excessive alcohol or drug use
- Use a mood journal to identify triggers
- Seek counseling or join a support group
- Get hormone levels tested, as imbalances can contribute to mood instability
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