Mood Swings : Causes, Types, Treatment and Symptoms

Mood swings are rapid and intense emotional shifts, ranging from happiness to sadness, anger, or agitation. While they can be a normal response to stress, lack of sleep, or hormonal fluctuations, they may also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as bipolar disorder, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder.

Most common panic Mood Swings:

• Sudden emotional changes
• Changes in energy levels
• Irritability and impatience
• Changes in appetite
• Anxiety and euphoria
• Altered sleep patterns
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks
• A sense of hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed

Common, Uncommon or Underlying Causes of Mood Swings

Mood swings can stem from common causes, uncommon or underlying medical causes, as well as underlying psychological causes that address, challenge, or contribute to mood swings in people.

• Normal life factors: unbalanced, processed food and erratic eating problems, stress, sleep deprivation, and life-altering events triggering mood swings.
• Hormonal changes: during puberty, menstruation, menopause or pregnancy.
• Mental health conditions: borderline personality disorder (overdramatic mood fluctuations), depression, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder.
• Physical conditions: thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), diabetes, and neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke.
• Brain conditions: migraines, ADHD, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.
• Abuse, neglect or past childhood trauma can cause mood swings.
• Substance use or medication

When to Seek a Specialist for Your Mood Swings?

In order to obtain a precise diagnosis and suitable treatment, it is essential to seek medical advice if mood swings substantially interfere with day-to-day functioning or are accompanied by other troubling symptoms. A physiotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can diagnose the cause of your mood swings accurately and tailor a personalized treatment plan.

• When it disrupts your work, relationships, and daily routine.
• Frequency increases after experiencing it for more than a week.
• Associated symptoms that point to an underlying condition.
• Mood swings are severe, extreme, or persistent.
• Associated with the person having the thought of self-harm.
• Leads to substance abuse.

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our Gynic Specialists today

Diagnostic Approach for Mood Swings

A mood swing evaluation is a thorough medical and mental health examination to identify whether the symptoms are of a larger problem, such as bipolar illness, or the result of other causes such as hormone changes, lifestyle, or another medical condition. This method aids healthcare practitioners in distinguishing between typical mood variations and clinically severe mood disorders.

• A doctor will conduct a physical examination and may prescribe blood tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid imbalances, in order to determine the cause of mood swings.
• Your doctor may recommend a mental health specialist after considering your medical history, both personal and family. To learn the precise patterns and specifics of your symptoms, this specialist will interview you in depth.
• Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to figure out if a person’s symptoms fit a certain mood disorder, like bipolar disorder or depression.
• Patients may be asked to keep a daily mood diary to track their moods, sleep, and activities. This can help find patterns and possible triggers for their mood swings.
• Doctors may also talk to family and close friends of the patient with their permission to get more information about the patient’s symptoms and behavior patterns to make a better diagnosis.

Types of Mood Swings

Mood swings, which can be normal and temporary fluctuations, can also be categorized into various types, from bipolar disorders to those triggered by medical conditions or substance use, with rapid or severe shifts warranting a doctor’s visit to determine the underlying cause.

Some common types of Mood swings include:

• Bipolar disorder:
  – Bipolar I – manic episodes lasting a week
  – Bipolar II – features hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes
  – Cyclothymia – moderate to less extreme mood swings that fluctuate
• Major depressive disorder (MDD): Intense sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest for at least 2 weeks.
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD): severe, recurrent temper outbursts, and the person stays under constant irritability.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): physical and behavioral symptoms before menstruation.

How to Treat Mood Swings Symptoms?

To treat mood swing symptoms, address lifestyle habits while also managing stress; if these changes aren’t enough, then you can opt for medical treatments, depending on the underlying cause, such as hormonal changes, medical conditions, and other mental health conditions.

For underlying causes, treatments & management strategies include:

• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day
• Eat a balanced diet and limit eating processed foods and added sugars
• Maintain an appropriate sleep schedule and have a calming bedtime routine
• Track your mood, sleep, diet, and physical activity via a journal
• Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing
• Reduce and avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Avoid consuming disturbing and negative content online
• Ground yourself in a positive and supportive gathering
• Treat the underlying root causes, such as thyroid issues or substance use
• Perform hormonal management treatments in women with PMS or pregnancy, such as hormonal therapy or hormonal birth control.
• Perform psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to cope and regulate emotions socially

What If Mood Swings are Left Untreated?

When intense, frequent or persistent mood swings are left untreated, they get worse and may lead to a wide range of significant problems affecting mental, physical, social and professional well-being. Mood swings will continue to cause problems if ignored, and addressing their underlying conditions will help overcome the adversities.

Some possible complications of an untreated Mood swing include:

• Serious mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
• Makes it difficult to maintain healthy relationships, family, friends, and colleagues
• Socially isolated
• Substance abuse
• Physical health issues such as chronic pain, digestive problems, difficulty sleeping, and developing high blood pressure and heart disease
• Impulsive behavior concerning mood swing episodes may cause poor performance in the workplace or school
• Risky decisions made during the heat of the moment may land you in financial or legal issues

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