What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts in mood that can go from feeling very happy and energetic to feeling very sad and hopeless. They usually last for a few hours up to a few days.
What causes mood swings?
There are several potential causes of mood swings:
- Stress - High stress levels can throw off brain chemicals and cause mood swings. Reducing stress through self-care, meditation, or counseling may help.
- Depression - The cycles of low and high mood in bipolar disorder or seasonal affective disorder can seem like mood swings. Seeking treatment for underlying mental health issues can relieve severe mood changes.
- Medications - Some prescription drugs and supplements can trigger mood swings as a side effect. Checking with a doctor can determine if medication changes might help.
- Health conditions - Thyroid disorders, dementia, stroke, or brain tumors can impact mood regulation. Seeing a doctor to rule out or treat health conditions is recommended.
How are mood swings treated?
To help cope with difficult mood swings, these self-care remedies may help:
- Get regular exercise to boost endorphins
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
- Practice stress management and relaxation techniques
- Spend time doing enjoyable activities
- Get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet
- Seek counseling or join a support group
If mood swings persist for more than two weeks or severely impact daily life, seeing a mental health professional is advisable. They can assess if an underlying physical or mental health issue may be causing fluctuating moods and determine appropriate treatment, which may include:
- Therapy - Talk therapy helps develop coping strategies for mood swings.
- Medications - Antidepressants or mood stabilizers can regulate unbalanced brain chemicals.
- Lifestyle changes - Adjusting health habits around sleep, diet, exercise and stress can promote steadier moods.
Learning to anticipate mood swings and having go-to coping methods ready can help lessen their intensity. Tracking symptoms in a mood journal also aids in identifying triggers. With self-care and professional treatment, most people find relief from disruptive mood swings.