What are mood swings?
Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts in our emotional state that can go from feeling irritable and angry to feeling energetic and happy in a short period of time. They involve relatively extreme changes in mood that are perceived as abnormal or out of proportion to the trigger.
Some key things to understand about mood swings:
- They go beyond normal emotional fluctuations that most people experience. The shifts in mood are more dramatic, frequent, or unpredictable.
- They may happen without an clear external trigger, or the trigger does not justify such an intense emotional reaction.
- There can be rapid cycles between emotional extremes like depression and euphoria.
- Mood swings can seriously impact a person's ability to carry out daily activities and maintain relationships.
What causes mood swings?
There are various potential causes, including:
- Medications - Antidepressants, steroids, and blood pressure medications may trigger swings.
- Sleep disturbances - Insufficient sleep can throw off biological rhythms.
- Substance abuse
- Major illness
- Stress
How to manage mood swings
Strategies include:
- Getting adequate sleep and regular exercise
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
- Tracking your moods to identify triggers and patterns
- Practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques
- Considering therapy or medication if mood swings are severe