What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts in emotion that can go from feeling positively happy to extremely irritabled or sad. They involve dramatic changes in mood and attitude that are out of proportion to the situation at hand.
What causes mood swings?
Mood swings have several potential causes:
- Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can trigger mood swings. Hormones control our emotions and going through puberty, pregnancy, menopause or monthly menstrual cycles can throw them off balance. This is why many women experience mood swings before their periods.
- Stress - High stress levels can take a major toll on our emotions. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol and other hormones that make mood swings more likely.
- Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, diabetes, dementia, and other health issues sometimes cause mood swings as a symptom. People with mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder often struggle with severe mood instability as well.
- Medications - Certain prescription drugs, herbal remedies, and even over-the-counter cold medicines can trigger mood swings as a side effect.
- Drug/alcohol use - The ups and downs of substance use and withdrawal often go hand in hand with rollercoaster emotions.
- Sleep deprivation - Not getting enough sleep prevents the brain from regulating emotions properly. Most people get moody and irritable when overtired.
How to manage mood swings
While mood swings are often beyond our control in the moment, there are things we can do to reduce their frequency and manage them better:
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise to boost endorphins
- Practice stress management techniques
- Consider counseling or joining a support group
- Get your hormone levels tested - The experts at Hormone Revive provide comprehensive hormone testing and treatment programs to help both men and women better balance their hormones for more stable moods and emotions. Their individualized plans combine bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition plans, fitness guidance and supplement recommendations to holistically regulate hormone levels.
- Make dietary changes to stabilize blood sugar and energy levels
- Avoid excessive caffeine and other stimulants
- Limit alcohol intake
- Track your moods to identify triggers and patterns
With the right lifestyle habits and treatment plan, many people find great relief from the rollercoaster of mood swings. Don't hesitate to seek outside support if they become severe, frequent or interfere with your daily life. Balancing our emotions is paramount to living healthy, happy and whole.