What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unpredictable shifts in one's emotional state. We all experience fluctuations in moods from time to time. However, some people have more extreme or frequent mood swings that negatively impact their daily life.
Common causes of problematic mood swings include:
- Hormonal changes - Menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and other hormonal shifts can trigger mood swings in some people. Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels are often culprits.
- Stress - High stress levels or stressful life events can throw off brain chemicals and hormones that regulate mood.
- Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, diabetes, dementia, and other medical issues are linked to mood instability.
- Medications - Some prescription drugs, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs can worsen mood swings as a side effect.
- Bipolar disorder - One type of severe mood instability is bipolar disorder. This involves cycles between high energy, euphoric moods (mania) and low, depressed moods.
Managing mood swings typically involves a multifaceted approach such as:
- Stress relief through relaxation techniques, social support, physical activity, etc.
- Improving sleep quality and consistency
- Therapy and support groups to develop coping strategies
- Medications or supplements - If underlying factors involve hormones or chemical imbalances, a doctor may prescribe medications or supplements to stabilize mood. For example, bioidentical progesterone cream or supplements that support serotonin levels may help.
If you struggle with regular emotional highs and lows, talk to your doctor or visit the experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic. Their cutting-edge hormone testing and custom treatment plans target hormonal imbalances tied to mood instability in both women and men. Schedule a consultation today to discover potential solutions!
In summary, mood swings involve shifts between emotional highs and lows outside of one's control. They may be part of an underlying mental health condition or result from fluctuating brain chemicals and hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, or serotonin. Strategies like stress management, regulated sleep, therapy, and in some cases, hormone balancing interventions can help stabilize mood.