A mood swing is an extreme or sudden change in a persons emotional state. During a mood swing, a person may quickly switch from feeling happy and upbeat to feeling sad, irritable, or angry. Mood swings can play a positive part in promoting problem-solving and producing flexible forward planning, or they can be disruptive. Mood swings can be caused by various factors, including:
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Mental health conditions: Mood swings can be a symptom of mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or borderline personality disorder.
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Hormonal changes: Changes in hormone levels can lead to mood swings. For example, sex hormones are tied to emotions, so changes in hormone levels can cause mood swings. This is why teenagers are often described as "moody".
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Medications: Mood swings or depression can be side effects of drugs you take. If your doctor prescribes a new medicine, pay attention to how you feel for the first few weeks, because there may be a link between your mood and your meds.
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Pregnancy: When youre pregnant, you make more hormones than usual to help your body grow and nourish the baby. These surges can affect your mood, and you might swing suddenly from happy to sad, then back again. Some women become depressed during pregnancy or after the baby is born, when hormone levels drop quickly.
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Stress: Stress can cause mood swings, and finding ways to manage stress can help prevent them.
To manage mood swings, people can try various techniques, including:
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Creating and sticking to a daily routine: Having a routine can help stabilize mood swings.
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Enjoying a healthful diet: Eating a healthful diet can help prevent mood swings.
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Getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for managing mood swings.
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Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can help prevent mood swings.
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Finding ways to manage stress and eliminate its sources where possible: Managing stress can help prevent mood swings.
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Keeping a mood journal: Keeping a mood journal can help identify triggers for mood swings.
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Socializing with others, including family and friends: Socializing can help prevent mood swings.
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Therapy: Therapy can help people better manage their emotions, work on issues that contribute to mood swings, understand the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior, learn more helpful coping skills, and improve communication skills, which can benefit relationships.
