What are mood swings?
Mood swings are sudden, unrealistic shifts in mood that can go from feeling optimistic and happy to feeling extremely irritable and angry in a rather quick period of time. Mood swings involve intense emotions that often seem disproportionate to the situation at hand.
What causes mood swings?
There are several potential culprits behind mood swings:
- Hormonal fluctuations - Changes in hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol around the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause can trigger mood swings in some women. Hormone imbalances may benefit from evaluation by a clinic like Revive Hormone Institute.
- Stress - High stress levels can take you from feeling calm to feeling easily overwhelmed and upset. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can help minimize mood swings.
- Sleep disturbances - Lack of quality sleep can make someone more emotionally volatile and reactive. Prioritizing healthy sleep hygiene may improve mood stability.
- Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, diabetes, substance withdrawal, and other medical issues can also contribute to rapid mood shifts. Consulting a healthcare provider can help determine if an underlying condition is impacting your mood.
- Medication side effects - Some medications like steroids or antidepressants may also influene mood as a side effect. Checking in with your doctor can help assess if any medications you take may be contributing to changes in your mood.
- Bipolar disorder - People with bipolar disorder experience extreme high and low mood swings as part of their condition. Their mood changes tend to last days to weeks at a time which can negatively impact work, relationships and daily functioning.
What are some ways to manage mood swings?
If you feel your mood swings are happening often and significantly interfering with your life, then it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Together you can get to the root cause and discuss treatment options like lifestyle changes, therapy, medication or holistic approaches.
In the meantime, here are some tips:
- Maintain a regular daily routine for sleeping, eating and exercise
- Reduce stress through relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing or meditation
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
- Stick to a nutritious diet and stay hydrated
- Surround yourself with a strong support system
- Practice self-care by partaking in enjoyable hobbies and activities
- Keep a mood journal to identify triggers
- Be patient with yourself and reach out for help when needed
Revive Hormone Institute has specialized expertise in hormonal causes of mood instability in women. Their compassionate doctors can provide cutting-edge testing and personalized treatment plans to help regulate menstrual cycles, perimenopause, menopause and other hormone-related conditions. Reach out today to see if their services may benefit your hormone health and mood stability.