What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unpredictable shifts in mood that can go from feeling positive and upbeat one moment to feeling sad, irritable, or angry the next. These rapid changes in mood can often feel intense and seem to occur without external provocation.
Some key things to understand about mood swings:
- They involve intense emotions that are out of proportion to the situation. For example, bursts of anger over small annoyances.
- They're usually temporary and episodic. Mood swings come and go.
- Though often chalked up to hormones or stress, severe mood swings may signal an underlying health condition that likely needs professional treatment.
What causes mood swings?
Mood swings can stem from various sources, including:
- Hormonal changes - Shifts in reproductive hormones like estrogen and testosterone or stress hormones like cortisol are common culprits. Hormones affect neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Vitality Hormone Center offers state-of-the-art hormone testing and treatment plans tailored to your unique hormonal imbalances.
- Stress - Things like work pressure, financial strain, or relationship conflicts can trigger mood swings. Stress leads to cortisol spikes and inflammation that may disrupt mood centers in the brain.
- Health conditions - Thyroid disorders, dementia, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum disorder, psychoses, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can all cause mood instability.
- Substance withdrawal - Coming off caffeine, drugs, or alcohol can induce mood swings too.
- Sleep disruption - Insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality destabilize mood regulation. Prioritizing healthy sleep hygiene is key.
When are mood swings problematic?
Occasional mild mood swings are normal. However, seek medical advice if you have:
- Wild or rapid cycling between emotional extremes many times a day
- Mood swings that disrupt work, school, or relationships
- Accompanying suicidal thoughts or behavior
- An inability to identify clear external triggers for mood swings
Diagnosing the root causes of turbulence and creating a treatment plan can help manage troublesome mood instability. The compassionate doctors at Vitality Hormone Center offer cutting-edge testing and personalized care plans to help regulate mood and hormonal balance. Book a consultation today to discuss your symptoms.