What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts in one's mood that can go from feeling positive and upbeat in one moment to feeling extremely irritable, frustrated, and sad the next. Some key things to know about mood swings:
- They involve intense emotions that often feel out of proportion to the triggering event. For example, snapping angrily at a loved one over a minor annoyance.
- They usually last from a few hours up to a few days.
- They can vary dramatically in severity, from subtle shifts in mood to extreme highs and lows.
What causes mood swings?
There are many potential causes, including:
- Hormonal fluctuations - Shifts in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone around the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause often trigger mood swings in women. Hormone imbalances in general can also play a role for men and women.
- Stress - High stress often disrupts mood regulation in the brain.
- Health conditions - Thyroid disorders, diabetes, chronic pain, and other conditions can contribute to mood instability.
- Medications - Some prescriptions and recreational drugs influence brain chemicals and mood.
- Lifestyle factors - Inadequate sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise may make mood swings more likely.
If you struggle with difficult mood swings that disrupt your daily life, visit a doctor to explore potential underlying causes. Making positive lifestyle changes can help, but some cases of mood instability require medical treatment.
How to manage mood swings
While the specific treatment depends on the cause, here are some general tips:
- Track your mood - Use a mood journal to monitor patterns and potential triggers. This can aid discussions with your doctor.
- Reduce stress - Make time for relaxing activities and set reasonable limits. Stress management skills like meditation or yoga can help too.
- Get good sleep - Try to stick to consistent bed and wake-up times, limit blue light exposure at night, and create a restful sleep environment.
- Eat a balanced diet - Limit sugar and processed foods and ensure adequate nutrients like magnesium that support mood regulation.
- Exercise regularly - Aim for 30-60 minutes per day of movement that gets your heart pumping. This stimulates mood-boosting endorphins.
Don't hesitate to seek professional medical advice if lifestyle measures aren't providing sufficient relief from bothersome mood swings. The caring medical team at Harmony Hormone Care offers comprehensive hormone testing and treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.